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BULAWAYO. — Offspinner John Nyumbu could make a return to Zimbabwe’s Test side in a bid to balance out an attack that had to rely on part-time bowlers in the first Test against New Zealand. Nyumbu could play as a second specialist spinner to captain Graeme Cremer to back up a pace pack that could also see a return for Njabulo Ncube, whose only Test was in Bulawayo against New Zealand in 2011.The more experienced seamer Chris Mpofu, who has been training with the team, could lead the attack.

Both Nyumbu and Mpofu have been training with Zimbabwe’s squad over the last three days although neither was included in the squad for the first Test.

Nyumbu started with a five-for on Test debut two years ago against South Africa, but has played only two Tests overall as he went wicketless against Bangladesh in October 2014.

Even though he has been among the wickets for Tuskers this year in domestic cricket, he bowled 28 overs without any returns against South Africa A last month.

Should the changes take place, Zimbabwe’s attack will more closely resemble the New Zealand one that took 20 wickets in the first Test.

New Zealand took the field with three frontline quicks – Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner – and two specialist spinners – Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner.

A Zimbabwe pace pack of Mpofu, Ncube and Donald Tiripano with Cremer, Nyumbu and Prince Masvaure as a medium-pace option may give them the resources to make more inroads than the six New Zealand wickets they took.

Both teams are still likely to find taking wickets even more difficult on what is likely to be an even flatter surface for the second Test.

The pitch being prepared has been rolled very hard and promises plenty of runs, which New Zealand have already predicted. “We know the pitch doesn’t offer a lot so it’s pretty crucial with that new ball,” Santner, the left-arm spinning all-rounder said. “If we don’t take wickets with the new ball, it’s about building that pressure on a reasonably flat wicket. We know its going to be a little bit tough through the middle. We just have to stick at it.”

Neither Santner nor Sodhi found the same amount of turn Cremer did out of the rough in the first Test, but for Santner it was still more than how much he gets at home.

“There’s a little bit more for the spinners in Bulawayo which I am happy with compared to those green ones back home,” he said. “There was a little bit of spin near the end, slow turn. You’ve got to really work hard though. It’s not sharp turn.”

Santner missed New Zealand’s limited-overs’ tour of Africa last year with a fractured thumb and since his recovery he has been drafted back in, hoping to make full use of his opportunity.

“I’ve been lucky enough to make this tour. This time last year, I broke my thumb a couple days before we were supposed to go,” he said. “You can’t ask more for the weather. I don’t think there has been a cloud in the sky since we’ve been here. It’s awesome.”

New Zealand took three days off following their four-day victory last week and a night at Heath Streak’s game-farm outside Bulawayo before returning to training yesterday.

Coach Mike Hesson missed their session with a migraine and may find he has other headaches as well.

Part of his selection conundrum will be if he should rest Wagner, whose calf was strapped during Zimbabwe’s second innings, and give one of Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry a go.

He will also be pondering whether to include uncapped batsman Jeet Raval, perhaps in place of Martin Guptill. — Cricinfo.