28 Jul 2016

Williamson honoured to be leading Black Caps in a Test

7:24 am on 28 July 2016

The New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson says he's honoured to be leading the side for the first time in a Test as the game returns to Zimbabwe for the first time in five years .

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson Photo: Photosport

The two sides meet in the first of two Tests in Bulawayo tonight.

New Zealand has never been beaten by Zimbabwe in a Test and the fifth ranked Black Caps are heavily favoured to keep that record against a team that has limited international competition.

Zimbabwe's last Test at home was against South Africa in 2014 and Williamson says it's nice to be a part of its return.

It's also the Black Caps first Test in five months and Williamson's first in charge since taking over from Brendan McCullum.

"It's an exciting opportunity and obviously a privilege to get the opportunity."

We play so much Twenty20 and one day cricket and I've been fortunate to lead the side there so its nice to walk out in the first test match and be able to lead the team in that format.

New Zealand is fifth in the Test cricket rankings, while Zimbabwe aren't ranked.

The New Zealand team won't be named until just before the start of play although leg spinner Ish Sodhi is expected to play after causing the Zimbabwe A batsmen some problems in their warmup game.

The decision then will be what the mix of the rest of the attack will be with the possibility that Mitchell Santner could also play and who will get the third seamers spot.