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Ahmedabad: Zimbabwe captain Elton Chigumbura won the crucial toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in their Group A match in the World Cup at Motera on Friday.
Both the teams are aware that a victory would go a long way in enhancing their chances of making the quarterfinal from a group which has holders Australia, co-hosts Sri Lanka and the unpredictable Pakistan.
The Kiwis, who lost to Australia just three days after a devastating earthquake struck the city of Christchurch to leave a trail of destruction, appear to hold a slight edge over the Africans.
New Zealand have not been beaten in five meetings between the two teams in the tournament in the past, with four wins to their credit.
One meeting ended in a no result and their overall record too against Zimbabwe, 19 wins from 28 head-to-head contests with one tie and one no result, is better.
The return to fitness of strike bowler Kyle Mills has also bolstered the Kiwis who had opened their campaign with a thumping 10-wicket victory over minnows Kenya on February 20 before being over-run by seven wickets by the Aussies on February 25.
Skipper Vettori is aware of the challenge his batsmen face in the match. Moreover, he considers experienced Raymond Price and other spinners of Zimbabwe a tough challenge in Indian conditions.
Zimbabwe are also bolstered by the batting form shown by one of their mainstays - Tatenda Taibu who fell short of a deserved century by two runs - and Craig Ervine, who made 85, against Canada.
