NEW ZEALAND’S TOUR OF ZIMBABWE, 2025
Henry (file pic) and Foulkes picked up seven wickets between them to roll out Zimbabwe for 117 runs. © Getty
New Zealand completed their biggest Test history on an extended third morning in Bulawayo, crushing Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs to seal a 2-0 series sweep. The margin also went down as Zimbabwe’s heaviest defeat in the format, underlining the gulf between the sides over the course of the two Tests.
Resuming with a daunting deficit of 476 after New Zealand’s overnight declaration, Zimbabwe’s second innings quickly unravelled. Matt Henry struck in his first over, bowling Brian Bennett with a sharp inswinger before removing Brendan Taylor caught-behind later in his spell. Jacob Duffy, on debut, bagged his maiden Test wicket when Sean Williams chipped a return catch.
The procession continued as debutant Zakary Foulkes dismantled the middle and lower order with a probing mix of nip-backers and away-seamers. He first squared up Sikandar Raza with a short ball and had him fending to gully. Tafadzwa Tsiga was next, drawn into a defensive poke by one that shaped away late and feathered through to the keeper. Vincent Masekesa was beaten and bowled by a nip-backer, and in his next over, Trevor Gwandu suffered a similar fate. Foulkes capped his maiden five-for when Blessing Muzarabani’s pull found deep midwicket.
Foulkes finished with 5 for 37 to go with his four-wicket haul in the first innings. Matthew Fisher, another one on debut, also chipped in, sending back Craig Ervine and Trevor Gwandu in a lively spell.
Nick Welch (47*) resisted with a flurry of boundaries late in the innings but Duffy returned to have Tanaka Chivanga caught in the gully as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 117 in only 28.1 overs.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 142 & 117 in 28.1 overs (Nick Welch 47*; Zakary Foulkes 5-37, Matt Henry 2-16) lost to New Zealand 601/3 dec. (Devon Conway 153, Henry Nicholls 150*, Rachin Ravindra 165*) by an innings and 359 runs
© Cricbuzz
