ZIM v NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Review: Kiwis firmly on top

Day One of the second ZIM v NZ Test match saw the Kiwis make light work of the Zimbabwe bowling unit as they concluded the day at 329/2. It would seem to many who are actively following the ZIM v NZ series that the Kiwis continued where they left off in the previous match at the same venue. Tom Latham was the hero of the day for the Black Caps as he went on to repay the faith put in him by his coach and come out all guns blazing with a wonderfully compiled century. As for the Zimbabwe bowlers, it was one setback after another as they bowled their hearts out to absolutely no avail.

Day one of the second Test match at Bulawayo kicked-off with a magnificent Martin Guptill boundary. While it was Peter Moor who made his debut behind the stumps, it was a hard day’s work for the Zimbabwe pacers. Winning the toss, Kane Williamson had absolutely no qualms about batting first on what seemed to be yet another dead rubber wicket. The flat surface was simply perfect for a player like Martin Guptill to thrive on as he went on to smash a magnificent half-century.

Guptill’s opening partner Tom Latham, who was at the receiving end of praise from his coach Mike Hesson began to find his rhythm with a few wonderful shots, especially through the cover regions. Moreover, the fact that these two batsmen were perhaps in full flow exposed the horrible fact that that Graeme Cremer and his men were not playing with a set plan in mind.

At the lunch interval, it was New Zealand who had just crossed the 100-run mark. The addition of spinner John Nyumbu to the side also failed to pick any wickets all day. Shortly after the lunch interval, perhaps a loss in concentration was the cause of the problem as Martin Guptill was dismissed after being trapped leg before to a peach of a delivery from the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers – Donald Tiripano.

In spite of the loss of the wicket, the hosts continued to bowl as though they were not playing to any sort of a plan. They were bowling aimlessly as the batsmen continued their practice for the upcoming series as they will travel down south to face South Africa soon after. Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand brought in a sense of calm into the proceedings as Tom Latham edged closer to his century. Shortly after the tea break, it was Latham who completed a well-deserved ton while Williamson completed his half-century.

The penultimate delivery of the day eventually went on to become the final delivery of the day when a tired Latham was dismissed by Sean Williams for 136 with Kane Williamson unbeaten on the day on 95. The Kiwis closed their innings on the day on 329/2.

Brief Scores

New Zealand, 1st innings: 329/2 (T Latham 136; S Williams 1/15)