When it comes to Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, this Test match didn’t just deliver—it wrapped up in under three days with some serious fireworks from the Black Caps’ bowling unit. New Zealand walked away with a 9-wicket victory, courtesy of a phenomenal bowling display led by Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, and William O’Rourke. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Let’s dive into the details and unpack how the visitors took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series in Bulawayo.
Day 3: Zimbabwe’s Hopes Fade Early
Starting the third day at 31/2 in their second innings, Zimbabwe needed nothing short of a miracle. But instead of a fightback, they suffered early blows, losing Nick Welch and Vincent Masekesa in quick succession.
O’Rourke was all over Welch with a perfect outswinger that kissed the edge and landed in the keeper’s gloves. Masekesa wasn’t spared either—caught at short leg after a sharp, rising delivery caught the splice of his bat. Things looked grim.
A Flicker of Hope: Williams and Ervine’s Resistance
Just when it seemed like the innings would be wrapped up before lunch, Sean Williams and skipper Craig Ervine decided to show some grit. The duo added a 50-run stand, bringing some much-needed stability with crisp boundaries and solid footwork.
But like a bad plot twist, both batters fell just before lunch. Santner tempted Williams into a leg-side flick, which ended up in the keeper’s gloves—one short of a half-century! Meanwhile, Henry produced a peach to remove Ervine, snatching the outside edge and sending Zimbabwe into lunch at 114/6.
Second Session: Collapse Continues
Post-lunch, Matt Henry continued his relentless pace attack. Though Michael Bracewell dropped Tafadzwa Tsiga at slip, Henry quickly dismissed the dangerous Sikandar Raza, who top-edged a pull.
Santner then bowled Newman Nyamhuri with a ball that skidded through, reducing Zimbabwe to 126/8. The writing was on the wall.
Late Resistance: Muzarabani and Tsiga Stall the inevitable
Despite the top-order collapse, Blessing Muzarabani and Tafadzwa Tsiga decided they weren’t going down without a fight. They built a gritty 36-run partnership, striking a few boundaries and frustrating the Kiwi bowlers.
New Zealand even missed chances—Ajaz Patel dropped one at deep midwicket, and a wild throw gave Tsiga a lifeline. But Santner eventually had Muzarabani caught, and a few overs later, sent Tsiga packing for 27. Zimbabwe was all out for 165.
Quick Chase: Just 8 Runs? No Problem
With just 8 runs needed, Devon Conway kicked off the chase with a stylish boundary. However, he fell to Nyamhuri soon after, playing on to the stumps. No worries though—Henry Nicholls wrapped things up with a boundary, sealing the win in just 2.2 overs.
Santner, Henry, and O’Rourke: The Trio of Destruction
Let’s take a moment to appreciate this bowling performance.
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Mitchell Santner: 4 wickets in the second innings, finishing with a match tally of 5
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Matt Henry: Consistent and lethal—6 wickets in the first innings and 3 in the second
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William O’Rourke: Young but fiery, grabbing 3 in the second innings and playing a key role in keeping Zimbabwe under pressure
It was a clinical bowling performance that made the difference in this Zimbabwe vs New Zealand clash.
Zimbabwe’s Missed Opportunities and Bright Spots
While the scoreboard looks one-sided, Zimbabwe had moments of fight.
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Sean Williams was their standout with a near-fifty.
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Tsiga showed resilience lower down the order.
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Muzarabani not only took three wickets in New Zealand’s first innings but also contributed with the bat.
But missed chances, weak batting depth, and failure to capitalize on partnerships haunted them.
Conway & Mitchell: Batting Anchors for New Zealand
Before the quick chase in the fourth innings, New Zealand had posted a solid 307 in their first innings, thanks to:
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Devon Conway: Smooth 88 that set the tone
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Daryl Mitchell: A classy 80 that helped build a solid foundation
Their partnership ensured that New Zealand had a commanding lead after Zimbabwe’s first-innings collapse.
Match Summary at a Glance
Brief Scores:
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Zimbabwe: 149 & 165
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New Zealand: 307 & 8/1
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Result: New Zealand won by 9 wickets
What’s Next in the Series?
The Kiwis now lead the series 1-0 with one match to go. For Zimbabwe, the pressure is on—they need a stronger top order and sharper fielding if they want to level the series.
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Conclusion
This Test wasn’t just a win—it was a showcase of dominance. In the battle of Zimbabwe vs New Zealand, the Black Caps proved why they’re among the top Test sides. From precise seam bowling to composed batting, everything clicked. Zimbabwe showed heart but not enough to match New Zealand’s firepower.
Final Thoughts
If the second Test is anything like this one, we’re in for another cracker. But for now, New Zealand can bask in a well-earned win while Zimbabwe returns to the drawing board. One thing’s for sure—the next chapter of ZIM vs NZ will be worth watching!
