Online Reporter
NEW ZEALAND yesterday knocked off a target of eight runs in 14 balls to complete a comprehensive win over Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club as the Chevrons home form continues to suffer.
Zimbabwe’s only Test win this year was against Bangladesh in Chattogram in April, and they have now lost their last five Tests.
The architects of New Zealand’s victory were their bowlers, headlined by Matt Henry’s second Test nine-for, which included three second-innings wickets.
Although New Zealand were without Nathan Smith for the third day – he could not take the field to determine the severity of an abdominal strain – Will O’Rourke’s three wickets for 28 runs and stand-in captain Mitchell Santner’s four for 27 runs meant Zimbabwe were bowled out for under 170 in both innings to leave major batting concerns.
Despite a good mix of youthful talent and experience in their line-up, Zimbabwe are struggling to post big scores.
Only Sean Williams’ 49 was noteworthy in this match, though wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga made a career-best 30 in the first innings.
His contribution forced New Zealand to bat again, and kept an innings defeat at bay.
Zimbabwe only had one partnership over 50 in either innings, and it was the second-innings stand of 57 between Craig Ervine and Williams for the fifth wicket that they would have expected to stabilise them.
The pair got together after New Zealand dismissed Nick Welch in the fifth over of yesterday’s play, caught behind off a full ball from O’Rourke.
Then New Zealand got nightwatcher Vincent Masekesa, who batted for 58 minutes and faced 40 balls for two runs. Masekesa was undone by a surface that started to show signs of variable bounce and gloved a back of a length ball to Rachin Ravindra at short leg. – Cricinfo
