Chris Martin picked up eight wickets in the match to fold Zimbabwe inside a day. Picture courtesy: stuff.co.nz.
New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 301 runs.
The defeat is Zimbabwe’s worst ever. Not a great end to the first away test after readmission. It was always going to be difficult on a seaming track for Zimbabwe. Their bowlers never utilized the conditions. They let New Zealand score 495 runs.
BJ Watling, the wicket keeper, went onto score his maiden hundred. He was at 52 overnight. With the lower order batsman giving him enough company, he reached the three figure mark without any trouble whatsoever. After declaring the innings at 495, New Zealand started their demolition job.
They bowled outside off with swing and the Zimbabwe batsmen obeyed by edging those to slips. No batsman showed application to stay there in the first innings. Only Malcom Waller reached double figure mark. 28.5 overs was all it took to clean out Zimbabwe for just 51 runs. New Zealand enforced follow on.
The procession started in the second innings as well. If all the bowlers shared the spoils in the first innings, Chris Martin was the chief destroyer in the second innings picking up six wickets. Only Regis Chakabva was able to show a bit of resistance with a gritty half century. But others folded to poor strokes and inability to play on tough conditions.
Impressive performnace for New Zealand and it’s their biggest win. BJ Watling and Ross Taylor shone for New Zealand with centuries. The bowling was too good for the Zimbabew batsmen. This was unexpected at the start of the day. The test started with hopes of a good Zimbabwe fight but they surrendered meekly. There are yet to be fully ready for the away tests.
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