With the 2nd test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand finally over, it was a resounding victory for this away side to create a clean sweep. As this Black Caps unit won the series 2-0, they completely asserted dominance in this match, specifically after winning by 359 runs and an extra full innings to play.
Seeing that their group achieved all this without key stars like Kane Williamson and Tom Latham, it really shows that they will always find a way to win, no matter how depleted their side may be. With Mitchell Santner putting his tactical knowledge and leadership abilities on display once again during this last day, he deserves a ton of credit for his work as a captain, plus should now start to be considered one of the top all-around world cricket.
Making his team completely unbeatable no matter which side they play, he has been a true gem because this is someone who doesn’t get affected by his teammates’ mistakes, but continues leading with immense joy. Now that he still has a magnificent record in this format, the other side in Zimbabwe will have a lot to discuss after yet another tough series since their comeback to test cricket.
Where excitement was very high for this team back in June, that has no longer remained, and their whole group seems completely lost throughout the matches. In hopes that Graeme Cremer can make an impact for them in their next series against Sri Lanka, this group still needs to change something because even the addition of Brendan Taylor didn’t move the needle much. Seeing that Craig Ervine was the captain in this series, it will be interesting to see if Zimbabwe still truly believes in him moving forward.
Day One: New Zealand Takes An Early Advantage After Bowling First
On the first day of this series, Zimbabwe started with the bat and weren’t able to make much out of their innings. After losing Brian Bennett for 0 from 9 deliveries, his opposing partner in Brendan Taylor, was trying to create some early partnerships. What looked strong with Nick Welch at the beginning, where he scored a combined 29 runs with Taylor, it ended in rough fashion as the ball was delivered right into Welch’s legs for an LBW.
At 30/2, there was some anticipation of a big partnership when Sean Williams came in, but just after one glorious drive for four, he nicked the ball right into Will Young’s hands. As Craig Ervine ended up getting out the same exact way, this group found themselves at 67/4 right before lunch.
Seeing that Sikandar Raza couldn’t make much out of his innings either, this is where the bottom order for Zimbabwe was cleaned up to put them 7 down with just 83 runs scored. The only real positive sign down the order was the final partnership between Tanaka Chivanga and Tafadzwa Tsiga as they got this group to 125 before losing their final wicket.
Talking about Tsiga, specifically, he was their best batsman outside of Brendan Taylor’s 44-knock since the wicket-keeper was able to hit 34 runs and four crisp boundaries. New Zealand’s bowling charge was led by Matt Henry as he took 5 wickets and went for an economy under three after showing consistent accuracy of targeting the stumps, while Zakary Foulkes took a page out of his book and got 3 of his 4 wickets from deliveries that were exactly similar line plus length. To end the day, New Zealand got to 174/1 when they came out to bat, and Devon Conway plus Will Young had a 162-run opening partnership.
Day Two: Batting Unit Continues Their Quest To Finish This Match Early
This second day was mostly about the prowess of New Zealand’s batting and the way they were able to get a 601/3 scoreline. Starting out with Devon Conway who was nearing his 100 the day before, he batted with Jacob Duffy to begin their 1st session. As Conway hit another 50+ runs during this period, he was close to his 150 and played some incredible sweep shots, plus cover drives.
Adding eight more fours to the day before, his partner in Duffy got out for 36 that session, but seemed very controlled when batting after hitting six fours. But, when he got out, in had come Henry Nicholls who scored 40 in the partnership with Conway and watched him celebrate his 150. A combination that went for 110 runs, Zimbabwe finally got Conway out after hitting a 153 knock, and now the score was 345/3.
The main partnership of this innings was the one between Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls, though, as they were able to bat out for their entire day. Scoring 246 runs together, it was clear that this duo complemented each other because one was an aggressive left-handed batsman, while the other played controlled shots as a right-handed batsman.
Talking specifically about Nicholls, he was able to hit a 150 and also played some glorious-looking drives on the left plus right for multiple boundaries. For Ravindra, he was able to match that with his sweeps and prowess of taking on bowlers, as this was someone who batted at a near 120 strike-rate. Adding two sixes as well, Ravindra was able to cap off his innings with a dandy 165 and lead New Zealand to declare.
Day Three: New Zealand Bowlers Do A Quick-Fire
On the final day, it was just mostly about New Zealand closing out this match and getting 10 wickets in quick time. With Zimbabwe’s batting getting strangled for 117, it already seemed more than over after they were 24/3 and lost Sean Williams to a caught-and-bowled by Jacob Duffy.
The only real piece that showed any promise on this side today was Nick Welch after scoring 47 not out while hitting four wonderful shots for four. Looking at New Zealand’s bowling, Zakary Foulkes had yet another big bowling performance after he took 5 more wickets to make it 9 total and continued hitting that same line/length that was kept being talked about.
Someone who was able to take out Sikandar Raza and Tafadzwa Tsiga, he was helped by Matt Henry, who created early pressure after clean-bowling Brian Bennett. Jacob Duffy also got into the action with two wickets and 3.90 economy, leading to a massive victory for the Black Caps.
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