ZIMBABWE showed plenty of heart on Day 2 of the first Test in Bulawayo, but New Zealand still hold the upper hand after building a strong lead at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
Chevrons managed to bowl out New Zealand for 307, thanks to a determined bowling effort led by Blessing Muzarabani. However, by the end of the day, Zimbabwe found themselves in trouble again, finishing on 31 for two in their second innings — still 127 runs behind.
New Zealand had started the day on 92 without loss, but Zimbabwe struck immediately. Muzarabani removed opener Will Young with the first ball and Young was gone for 41.
Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls then tried to steady things for New Zealand. It took them some time to get going Nicholls took 14 balls to get off the mark but eventually, they pushed New Zealand past Zimbabwe’s first-innings score.
Muzarabani struck again when Nicholls slashed at a wide one and was caught in the gully by Brian Bennett for 34. Their partnership of 66 runs was broken.
Sikandar Raza then got in on the action, getting Rachin Ravindra caught at slip for two, with Craig Ervine juggling and finally holding on.
By lunch, New Zealand were 174 for three, with Conway still going strong on 87.
Zimbabwe came out firing after lunch. Tanaka Chivanga dismissed Conway for 88 caught again by Bennett in the gully and just three runs later, he got Tom Blundell pulling one straight to Sean Williams at deep square leg.
Muzarabani added another wicket when Michael Bracewell tried a pull shot but was caught by the keeper, Tafadzwa Tsiga, who ran and dived to grab it. Bracewell made just nine, and New Zealand were suddenly 200 for six.
Vincent Masekesa picked up Mitchell Santner shortly after a simple return catch made it 233 for seven.
At tea, New Zealand were 254 for seven, with Daryl Mitchell on 48 and Nathan Smith on eight. The pair added 40 more after the break, but Smith had to retire hurt on 22 due to an abdominal injury.
Mitchell went on the attack briefly, hitting a six off Newman Nyamhuri, but Zimbabwe wrapped up the innings quickly after that.
Williams bowled Matt Henry for five, and Nyamhuri delivered a brilliant yorker to dismiss Mitchell for a well-made 80.
With Smith unable to return, New Zealand’s innings ended at 307 giving them a lead of 158.
In reply, Zimbabwe’s second innings started positively, with Bennett hitting a few classy boundaries. But the early promise did not last.
Ben Curran was out for 11 trying to pull a short ball, and Bennett edged to the keeper soon after for 18.
By the close of play, Zimbabwe were 31 for two, still 127 runs behind and facing a tough road ahead on Day 3.
Blessing Muzarabani finished with figures of three for 73, while Chivanga took two wickets. Raza, Williams, Masekesa, and Nyamhuri all chipped in with one each.
