Match factsJuly 28-August 1, BulawayoStart time 09:30 local (07:30 GMT)Big pictureFor all the feelings of excitement at Test crickets return to Bulawayo, there is the reality that the home side will find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer gulf between their visitors and themselves in every way.In personnel terms, New Zealand, albeit without recently retired Brendon McCullum, bring 379 Test caps between them to Bulawayo. Zimbabwe have just 86 and, of those, a third belong to one man - Hamilton Masakadza - who was relieved of the captaincy in May. Masakadza will no doubt operate as senior counsel to new captain Graeme Cremer, who will lead the Test side for the first time. His counterpart, Kane Williamson, is also on his maiden outing as Test captain, but has experienced heads like Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor to turn to.One of the first things they would remind Williamson of was how hard Zimbabwe pushed them the last time the sides met at Queens. In November 2011, the match went down to the last session of the last day before New Zealand eventually claimed the honours. Since then, Zimbabwe visited New Zealand, were soundly beaten, and have played just 10 other Test matches.New Zealand went only to play four times that number and are a much more assured side than they were five years ago. Although they have lost two of their last three Test series, both against Australia, they had been on a solid run before that. They drew in England and the UAE, and beat Sri Lanka away, West Indies away and India at home. Their climb up the Test rankings has not been as dramatic as their headline-grabbing showings in limited-overs cricket but it has been steady, and they now find themselves at No.5. If the idea of two Test divisions ever becomes a reality, New Zealand would play in the top division, as things stand.At the moment, Zimbabwe can only dream of getting there. Their dearth of fixtures has left them without a ranking at all, but after this series it is likely they will be on the table, joining at the bottom. They will want this to be a fresh start, so they can gradually set their sights on greater things.Form guide Zimbabwe LLLLWNew Zealand LLWWLIn the spotlightInjuries to Tinashe Panyangara and Tendai Chatara have left Zimbabwes pace pack with just two Test caps among four of them, and the lack of experience could be a cause for concern. Njabulo Ncube and Donald Tiripano have played a Test each while Michael Chinouya and Taurai Muzarabani are uncapped. The quartet have had the experience of Makhaya Ntini, South Africas third-highest wicket-taker of all time, to draw on but may need to find the right balance between attacking and containing on what could be a stubborn surface.Leg spin has been known to be a nemesis for Zimbabwean batsmen so Ish Sodhis role could be the most important in the New Zealand attack. Sodhi caused problems for Zimbabwe A during last weeks warm-up match at Harare Sports Club, when he took six wickets in total, including that of Test keeper Regis Chakabva twice. He will also be heartened by what he may see from the most recent match played at Queens, between Zimbabwe A and South Africa A. Despite a largely batsman-friendly surface, Keshav Maharaj and Dane Piedt took seven wickets between them to win the match for the tourists.Team newsThe hosts will cap at least one new player either at the top of the order or in the spin department. Prince Masvaure, who scored a century in the match between Zimbabwe A and South Africa A, could open in Vusi Sibandas absence. Masvaure will have to be joined by one of Brian Chari or Chamu Chibhabha after Tino Mawoyo was ruled out with a hand injury. The No.4 spot left vacant by Brendan Taylor is likely to be filled by one of Sikandar Raza or Peter Moor, with the other slotting in at No. 5. With plenty of slower bowling options in the middle order, Zimbabwe could field just two quicks, of which one may be a debutant.Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Prince Masvaure, 2 Chamu Chibhabha/Brian Chari, 3 Hamilton Masakadza, 4 Peter Moor, 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Craig Ervine, 7 Regis Chakabva (wk), 8 Sean Williams, 9 Graeme Cremer (capt), 10 Donald Tiripano/Michael Chinouya, 11 Njabulo NcubePlaying their first Test since McCullums retirement, New Zealand will be led by Kane Williamson for the first time. Henry Nicholls will fill in at No.4, and is surrounded by a strong line-up. With several spin options in their squad, New Zealand could opt for two spinners and two quicks with Doug Bracewell as their all-round option.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Tom Latham, 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Doug Bracewell 8 Ish Sodhi, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Mark Craig/Michael Santner 11 Trent Boult/Matt Henry/Neil WagnerPitch and conditionsThe scarcity of Test cricket at Queens means theres not much historical data to go on, but conventional wisdom suggests that the surface will be slow and low, favouring an old-fashioned style of play. The match between Zimbabwe A and South Africa A which took place earlier this month may be the best indicator of what to expect. Brian Vitori, who played in that match, described the surface as flat and scores of 570 and 356 are evidence of that. However, turn came into play on the final day which suggests there may be some deterioration as the sun beats down. The late winter conditions are expected to be pleasant, with clear skies and temperatures in the mid-20s over the five days.Stats and triviaIn 15 matches, Zimbabwe have never won a Test against New Zealand and have lost nine. Their record is poorer only against Sri Lanka, against whom they have lost 10 and won none.Since Zimbabwe and New Zealand last played each other in a Test in January 2012, New Zealand have played 40 Test matches and Zimbabwe just 10.QuotesA few guys will remember that feeling and will know its not impossible to put them under pressure and to do well.Although Graeme Cremer was not part of the team that narrowly lost to New Zealand five years ago, he hopes those who were will remember how well they competed.We are going to play in a way that tries to give us the best chance of winning. It is tough to win here. We know well have to adapt quickly and be at our best. You dont tend to get pace and bounce like in other part so the world. Its about adapting, thinking on your feet.Kane Williamson expects conditions to stand in New Zealands way of victory, as much as the opposition, and hopes to be able to conquer both. Fake Vans Slip-on . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Fake Vans Online . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. http://www.fakevans.com/ . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Wholesale Fake Vans . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Fake Vans Store . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Peyton Mannings health is no longer the big issue in Denver. Now, its whether his offensive teammates can stay on the field with him. Joel Dreessen, Denvers best blocking tight end, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday and is expected to miss the remainder of training camp, and Broncos right tackle Orlando Franklin limped off the field early during Mondays practice with an injured hip and did not return. Franklin went down on the first play of team drills. While trainers attended to him, the offence and defence changed directions so they could keep practicing while Franklin was down on the field. After several minutes, Franklin got up and walked off the field on his own, appearing to favour his right leg. Franklins injury was the latest on Denvers offensive line. After the third-year veteran went out, guard Louis Vasquez moved into his spot and recently signed Ryan Lilja moved to right guard. Manny Ramirez has been filling in at centre while Chris Clark is playing left tackle in place of Ryan Clady, whose surgically repaired right shoulder is still healing. Clark is set to protect Mannings blindside Thursday night in the Broncos preseason opener at San Francisco. "We feel good about where we are on the offensive line," coach John Fox insisted. "Well find exactly what the details are with Orlando, but I am pretty pleased with where we are. You just hope thaat works out (well) with Orlando.dddddddddddd" Lilja started 12 games at centre in Kansas City last year after playing guard his first seven seasons, five of them with Manning in Indianapolis. He got off to a slow start Friday in his first practice but Manning said he expects Lilja to quickly climb the depth chart, and apparently that wouldnt surprise Fox, either. "Oh yeah, hes very, very football smart, very high football character as far as that goes," Fox said. "Im really more concerned with him right now in getting in hitting shape more than we are whether he knows what hes doing." The Broncos are also dealing with injuries at tight end, with both of last years starters hobbled. Dreessen originally injured his left knee this spring while practicing on the teams turf field while the grass fields were being replaced. He suffered a setback late last week and didnt dress for the teams stadium scrimmage Saturday night. Tight end Jacob Tamme (thigh) also sat out the rain-soaked scrimmage, although he returned to practice on a limited basis Monday. Tamme and Dreessen combined to catch 93 passes for 911 yards and seven touchdowns last season. While Dreessens roster spot is seemingly secure because of his superb run-blocking skills, Tamme could find himself on the bubble if third-year pros Julius Thomas and Virgil Green continue to impress the coaching staff and keep gaining Mannings confidence. ' ' '