Zimbabwe's bowlers are the players probably most looking forward to their tour of New Zealand which starts on Tuesday with a day-night match against Canterbury at Jade Stadium.

Their three-week tour of India provided little succour for the pace men. While batsmen enjoyed tremendous success, with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid scoring double centuries for India and Andy Flower a double century for Zimbabwe, the bonuses were all there for the batsmen.

That fact is reflected in the Zimbabwe bowling statistics which should be markedly different in more suitable conditions for fast-medium bowling in New Zealand.

Captain Heath Streak was easily the most successful bowler in his side. But his three wickets in the Tests cost 61.0 while Grant Flower took two wickets at 81.50. Henry Olonga had two wickets at 101.50 and Brian Murphy three at 107.0.

Zimbabwe team manager Babu Meman said the side, which was welcomed at an informal function tonight by series sponsor the National Bank of New Zealand, was looking forward to the tour.

A significant blow has been the loss of leg-spinner Paul Strang through injury. He has returned home.

"It was a tough tour of India, but for the younger players it was a valuable experience. They had exposure to the conditions and to playing in front of crowds of 30,000-40,000. Some of the players coped very well but we lost the test and the One-Day series," he said.

However, there were some benefits with Alistair Campbell finally scoring his maiden Test century and Andy Flower continuing good form with the bat.

The added benefit of the tour in New Zealand, is preparation for the limited overs series in Australia with the host nation and the West Indies. It is only the second time Zimbabwe has played in the high profile Australian series and it is keen to do well.

With the West Indies having been on a low before the Third Test in Adelaide, Meman thought his side could do well in the series.

"I don't see why not, if the boys perform well on the day," he said.

Coping with political events back home has not been a serious problem for the side.

"It started during the last World Cup. It is not as bad as it seems but that is all politics and we don't want to get involved in it," he said.

Growth in cricket is still occurring in Zimbabwe although it is only slow. But more coverage of the side overseas on television, the side's games in India were broadcast live to Zimbabwe and the games on the Australian leg will be taken by South African broadcaster M-Net which beams into Zimbabwe.

"That is a plus and there will be some flow through from that. We have had an academy for a year or two now and the results should soon be seen from that," he said.

The side, after its opening One-Day game has a four-day game with Canterbury, also at Jade Stadium.

It then travels to Wellington for the Boxing Day Test before playing three One- Day Internationals against the CLEAR Black Caps.

The New Zealand team for the Test is to be named tomorrow.

The Zimbabwe touring side is: Heath Streak, Guy Whittall, Alistair Campbell, Stu Carlisle, Grant Flower, Andy Flower, Travis Friend, Angus Mackay, Trevor Madondo, Douglas Marillier, Brian Murphy, Mluleki Nkala, Henry Olonga, Gavin Rennie, Brian Strang, Dirk Viljoen.

Itinerary:

Tuesday 19 Dec, Canterbury v Zimbabwe, Jade Stadium, Christchurch (day/night); Thursday 21 - Saturday 23 Dec, Canterbury v Zimbabwe, Jade Stadium, Christchurch; Tuesday 26 - Saturday 30 Dec, TEST: New Zealand v Zimbabwe, Basin Reserve, Wellington. Tuesday 2 Jan, 1st ODI: New Zealand v Zimbabwe, Owen Delany Park, Taupo (day/night); Thursday 4 Jan, 2nd ODI: New Zealand v Zimbabwe, WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington (day/night); Sunday 7 Jan, 3rd ODI: New Zealand v Zimbabwe Eden Park, Auckland.

© CricInfo