On a surface growing increasingly unpredictable, New Zealand held their nerve and their lead, thanks to composed knocks from Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, to finish Day 2 of the opening Test against Zimbabwe with a 158-run advantage.
Despite a spirited bowling fightback from the hosts, the visitors posted 307 in their first innings before reducing Zimbabwe to 31/2 by stumps at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Mitchell: “On a surface like this, every run counts”
After the early dismissal of Will Young on the first ball of the day, New Zealand's top order stumbled against Zimbabwe’s persistent bowling. But it was Daryl Mitchell (80 off 119 balls) and Devon Conway (88) who weathered the storm and stitched crucial partnerships that anchored the BlackCaps innings.
Yeah, nice to get a lead on a challenging surface, which is going a bit up and down. We always expected this kind of pitch in Zimbabwe — spongy bounce and a bit of movement. Credit to Zimbabwe, they bowled really well with the new ball.
Zimbabwe fight back, but Mitchell holds firm
Resuming from 92/0, New Zealand’s promising start unraveled quickly. Will Young fell without adding to his overnight 41, fending a short delivery straight to short leg. Henry Nicholls (34) added 66 with Conway before falling to variable bounce. From 158/2, New Zealand suddenly found themselves at 200/6, losing Conway, Rachin Ravindra (1), Tom Blundell (2), and Michael Bracewell (9) in quick succession.
Mitchell, however, remained composed at one end.
It’s about taking it ball by ball, over by over, and trying to build a partnership. We recognised that runs on this surface would be really valuable as the match progresses.
Skipper Mitchell Santner contributed 19 before falling to Masekesa, and though Nathan Smith (22*) was forced to retire hurt, his 61-run ninth-wicket stand with Mitchell helped push New Zealand past 300. Mitchell and Henry were both dismissed with the score on 307, bowled by Newman Nyamhuri.
Conway impresses with confident 88
Devon Conway, who resumed on 51, looked assured through his innings. His 88 came with classy strokes and measured aggression, underlining his value in foreign conditions. His dismissal — caught off a rising delivery that bounced unpredictably — epitomised the difficulties batters faced throughout the day.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers show character
After being bundled out for just 149 on Day 1, Zimbabwe bounced back impressively with the ball. Blessing Muzarabani (3-73) led the charge, well supported by Tanaka Chivanga (2-51), while Nyamhuri, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams and Masekesa chipped in with a wicket each.
Late strikes shift momentum New Zealand’s way
Just when Zimbabwe would have hoped for a solid start to their second innings, the New Zealand pace attack struck early. Matt Henry, fresh from his six-wicket haul in the first innings, trapped Ben Curran for 11. Will O’Rourke then dismissed Brian Bennett (18), leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 31/2 at stumps — still 127 runs behind and staring at a challenging Day 3.
Nick Welch (2*) and Vincent Masekesa (0*) were unbeaten at close. With key batters Sean Williams, Craig Ervine, and Sikandar Raza still to come, Zimbabwe's hopes rest on a strong rearguard if they are to avoid conceding a match-defining first-innings lead.
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe 149 & 31/2 in 13 overs (Brian Bennett 18; Matt Henry 1-11) New Zealand 307 all out in 96.1 overs (Devon Conway 88, Daryl Mitchell 80; Blessing Muzarabani 3-73, Tanaka Chivanga 2-51). Zimbabwe trail by 127 runs with 8 wickets in hand
