ZIM v NZ, 1st Test, Review: New Zealand goes 1-0 up

Sean Williams’ maiden Test hundred and skipper Graeme Cremer’s resilient knock on day four wasn’t enough for the hosts to save the game as New Zealand folded up Zimbabwe for 295 on day four of the first Test at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo to win the first Test with ease by an innings and 117 runs.

118 runs stand between Cremer and Williams today was the highlight of the day. Both batted sturdily and delayed the victory moment for the hosts. Both showed great class and character and played down the New Zealand bowling of Tim Southee and Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Ish Sodhi with class and character and frustrate the opposition to a good extent.

The day began with overnight batsman Craig Ervine losing his wicket after completing his half-century. Ervine, who ended day three on 49 with his skipper, could add only 1 run to his overnight score. This brought Williams and Cremer in the middle and then ensued a 33 overs along resilient partnership between both the players.

But lunch session both completed their half-century and continued with the same grit and grinded the New Zealand. It was contrasting styles of batting from both the ends. While Williams kept getting runs at a good pace, Cremer, on the other end happily played dot ball. Williams batted freely, hitting crisp drives for boundaries on occasion and played a authorative knock.

But, Cremer didn’t have pleasant time in the middle as his defensive approach gave the license to the Kiwi quickies to attack him. The Zimbabwe skipper had to fight it out for his survival against the Wagner who hit his on his left shoulder and forearms with his short balls.

But, it was not the pace that brought the breakthrough but the spin of Ish Sodhi that broke the stand with the wicket of Cremer. Williams went on to complete his maiden century batting with Chakabva. But, soon the ned neared as Southee, Wagner and Santner snapping Chakabva, Donald Tiripano and Williams in short successions to win the match.

Zimbabwe put up a commendable show on day four after being bowled out for 164 in the first inning inflicting a massive 412 runs lead as New Zealand went on to amass 576/6d in reply. The lead proved to be the winning factor for the visitors as the huge for the hosts failed to surpass it and set a target.

Brief Scores:

1st Innings:

Zimbabwe: 164 all out (Donald Tiripano 49; Neil Wagner 6/41)

New Zealand: 576/6d (Ross Taylor 173; Chinouya 1/79)

2nd Innings:

Zimbabwe: 295 all out (Sean Williams 119; Trent Boult 4/52)

New Zealand won by an innings and 117 runs