Devon Conway’s unbeaten 79 and Matt Henry’s five-wicket haul help New Zealand dominate Zimbabwe on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at Queens Sports Club.
Zimbabwe Collapse Under Pressure from NZ Bowlers
- Zimbabwe opted to bat first after winning the toss under overcast skies in Bulawayo. But the hosts quickly regretted their decision as the Black Caps’ pacers hit top gear from the get-go.
- Matt Henry ripped through the top and middle order, while debutant Zakary Foulkes provided excellent support with sharp seam bowling.
Zimbabwe Playing XI at Bulawayo
Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu, Tanaka Chivanga
New Zealand Playing XI at Bulawayo
Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher, Jacob Duffy
How Day 1 Unfolded
Early collapse:
- Zimbabwe were reduced to 67/4 before a mini-fightback from veteran Brendan Taylor (44) and wicketkeeper Tsiga (33)* brought some stability.
- But the wickets kept tumbling, and they were bowled out for just 125 before tea.
Key Wickets:
- Brian Bennett was dismissed for a duck by Matt Henry.
- Taylor played a gritty 44 before falling to Matt Henry, caught by Mitchell Santner.
- Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, and Trevor Gwandu fell in quick succession, triggering a sharp collapse for Zimbabwe.
New Zealand’s Commanding Reply
- Devon Conway and Will Young made full use of the conditions easing up late in the day. Their elegant 162-run opening partnership took the game away from Zimbabwe.
- Conway remained unbeaten on 79, while Will Young played fluently for 74 before falling late in the day.
Day 1 Scorecard Summary
Zimbabwe 1st Innings
Total: 125 all out in 48.5 overs
Top Scores:
✅ Brendan Taylor – 44
✅ Tafadzwa Tsiga – 33*
✅ Joylord Gumbie – 17
Bowling Highlights (NZ):
✅ Matt Henry – 5/40
✅ Zakary Foulkes – 4/38
✅ Matthew Fisher – 1/18
New Zealand 1st Innings (at Stumps)
Total: 174/1 in 39 overs
Top Scores:
✅ Devon Conway – 79*
✅ Will Young – 74
🧠 Big Talking Points
- Henry’s five-wicket haul put Zimbabwe on the mat.
- On debut, Foulkes stood out with his controlled and effective seamers.
- Conway’s stroke play was effortless as NZ took the lead.
- Will Young’s return to form is a boost for the visitors.
- Zimbabwe’s decision to bat first may haunt them through the match.
What Zimbabwe Needs on Day 2
🔍 The hosts need early wickets and a lot of them. If they can restrict New Zealand’s lead under 150, they may still be in with a chance otherwise, this Test might slip away quickly.
New Zealand’s Game Plan
🎯 Build a big first-innings lead. With Devon Conway and Jacob Duffy at the crease, NZ will aim to bat Zimbabwe out of the game and force them to follow-on or face scoreboard pressure.
Fans at Queens Sports Club
🙌 The local fans were excited to see Taylor back, and Tsiga’s resilience earned cheers. But it was New Zealand’s clinical performance that drew respectful applause.
What to Watch Tomorrow
✅ Can Conway convert his 79 into a big century?
✅ Foulkes made an impact with his bowling and will bat later in the innings.
✅ Can Zimbabwe’s bowlers produce some magic early on?
Final Word
📌 Day 1 clearly belonged to New Zealand. From Matt Henry’s fiery spell to Conway’s stylish batting, they dominated both sessions. A tough challenge awaits Zimbabwe on
💬 Think Zimbabwe can bounce back? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned with Chull Cricket for Day 2 coverage.
