ZIM Vs NZ, 1st Test: New Zealand Outclass Zimbabwe By Nine Wickets Inside 3 Days
New Zealand won the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club by nine wickets, inside three days.
New Zealand emerged victorious in the first Test against Zimbabwe within three days, clinching the win at Queens Sports Club by nine wickets after dismissing the hosts on Friday.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Santner claimed four wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 165 runs in their second innings, having resumed at 31-2 overnight. This left New Zealand needing a mere eight runs to win the Test in their second innings.
The target was reached in just 14 balls, although opener Devon Conway was bowled by Newman Nyamburi for four in the first over. Henry Nicholls secured the winning run in the third over after tea on the third day, taking the tourists to a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
How New Zealand Beat Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe began the day with aspirations of overcoming a 158-run first innings deficit and setting a challenging target for New Zealand. However, despite New Zealand being two bowlers short, this proved difficult.
All-rounder Nathan Smith sustained an abdominal strain on the second day, and Will O'Rourke did not bowl after lunch on Friday due to back stiffness.
Zimbabwe managed to add only three runs to their overnight score before Nick Welch was caught behind off O'Rourke. By lunch, Zimbabwe struggled at 114-6, still 44 runs behind.
By that time, they had lost their top scorer Sean Williams, who was caught behind for 49, and captain Craig Ervine, who edged a ball from Matt Henry and was dismissed for 22.
Henry, who had taken 6-39 in the first innings, continued as the sole pace bowler after lunch, removing Zimbabwe's last recognized batsman Sikandar Raza cheaply to ensure a nine-wicket haul for the match.
Santner, leading the Kiwis for the first time in the absence of the injured Tom Latham, cleaned up the tail, taking the last three wickets with figures of 4-27 from 17.1 overs.
Henry secured 3-51 in the second innings, while O'Rourke took 3-28 from 10 overs before his injury.
Zimbabwe won the toss on the first day and elected to bat, scoring 149, while New Zealand replied with 307-9 in their first innings.
The second Test will also be held in Bulawayo, starting next Thursday.
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Mohammed Siraj-inspired India refuse to die, Oval Test, series heading for thriller Day 5
Just as they have done all series, India refused to fade out even after Joe Root and Harry Brook had seemingly extinguished the lights with hundreds. Neither did the Indian section in the crowd. With less than 40 runs needed, they first found their voice, hollering away and that relentless warrior Mohammad Siraj conjured a series of magical deliveries to inspire his team-mate Prasidh Krishna, who took out Root with 37 runs still needed. The runs dried up, ball kept beating the bat or pinging the pad, Indians kept appealing, and blood it seemed was draining off England's lower order. Then light literally gave away as the sun went out of The Oval with England still needing 35 runs. India, England, and this astonishing series remains alive for one another day in paradise. And to think that the Indian fight had seemingly evaporated out of the arena when on 94, Brook drove a Washington Sundar ball to wide long-off. Akash Deep dragged his tired legs to the ball, too knackered to bend down, he would put out his foot to stop the ball. He would fail, the ball would roll over the fence. Two balls later, Brook would get his 100 and the Oval would bring the roof down. On the boundary rope, a sullen Akash Deep would massage his aching arms not far from where Siraj would have clasp his head with his hands. This seemed to be the moment that broke India's back, but clearly this lot is made of sterner stuff. England still needed 80 odd runs to win the Test and the series and things were almost on autopilot. While Brook would be celebrated for his 111 but he wasn't able to take England home. He charged out to Prasidh after hitting two fours in that over to have an almighty swing and his bat flew out of his hand even as the ball settled into Siraj's hands at cover. Little did one know that the moment of indiscretion was to leave a mark in the game and the series. However, Root, fresh on the podium of the all-time Test run-getters, showed the nuance and art of scoring big and winning matches. In this series of 20-something heroes, on the final day of the grueling contest was desperate to show that he was the difference between the two sides. And he nearly was until he fell, edging a straightener outside off from Prasidh to a diving Jurel, and leaving England still 37 runs short. This has been a theme to this draining and engrossing series. There would be those long stretched phases of intense battle, those very close 'who blinks first' situations. This is followed by a one 'slip up' that suddenly deflates the match. In this case, it was Brook's implosion and Root's dalliance with danger. At Manchester, England dropped Ravindra Jadeja on the first ball and he foiled India's victory bid. This too had the famous Ben Stokes 'give up'. At Oval, India too got a chance when Harry Brook was dropped on 19 by Siraj on the fence as he stepped over the line to his utter agony. Returning after a short break in the dressing room, Siraj took his fielding position on the fine leg, guarding the fence since Brook was trying to break the shackles. Barely settled, standing way off the central square, the spotlight was suddenly on him. Brook had pulled Prasidh and the looping ball seemed to be landing on Siraj. The pacer caught the ball comfortably but his right leg inadvertently touched the boundary cushion behind him. The score could have gone from 137/3 to 137/4 but now it was 143/3. England had survived. All series Siraj has been running in like a tireless warrior, conjuring some magic from unresponsive Dukes balls but was left to rue that one betrayal of his feet. Just like Shane Warne in the epic 2005 series-deciding final Test at the same venue had dropped Kevin Pietersen on 15 and saw him churn a match-winning 158. Such is life. This morning it was said that Ben Duckett vs Siraj was to be the face-off that would decide this game. After the highest wicket-taker of the series had got Zak Crawley with the final ball of the day, he was tipped to get his batting partner too. The duel lived up to its billing and produced one of the many riveting bat-ball contests of this series. Siraj would bowl from over-the-wicket to the left-handed Duckett and try to get his outside edge. He had the perfect ball for him – the wobbly-scrambled seam ball that went away after pitching. In one over, Siraj would beat Duckett's outside edge 5 times. Just when you thought India was winning the contest, the England opener would strike back. In the next over, Siraj would try his swinging full ball with fingers behind the seam in a conventional position but it was a bit short and Duckett would drive for a boundary. There was one more four and the score had been settled. In the third over, Siraj had the England opener playing and missing again. Prasidh, the first change bowler, would benefit from the pressure created by Siraj and he got Duckett caught in the slip, edging a full angler while driving the ball. Ollie Pope's cameo wasn't quite a captain's knock and the now it was upto to the former and future captains – Root and Brook – to take them home. Perfect for the job was Brook. He had to take chances and thus be lucky. And that's when Siraj's drop came and Brook and Root would make it count. The heir-apparent of England cricket would keep swinging the bat to hit big hits. Root would do the same but his strokes were more refined. Their first small victory came when the Indian captain had to rest his three pacers. But whatever he threw at Brook and Root, they had an answer. Shubman had a brief dalliance with spin but didn't quite work. With the ball close to 50 overs old, what would Shubman do next? He tried his other pet tactic – asking wicket-keeper Jurel to stand up to Akash Deep. The off-side boundary would be left vacant and at 30-yards from the point to extra cover there would be a sprinkling of catcher. Against the well-set batsmen this too didn't work. It was left to that man Siraj again to incredibly find some energy in himself and inject it to his team-mates. Egged on by the fans, when Jacob Bethell fell, trying to slog Prasidh, Siraj suddenly started to threaten the pads of Root with his curling nipbackers from a old, soft ball. Couple of lbw shouts turned up, Prasidh too started to produce the odd threatening delivery and just as Root, the fourth-innings chase hero of England, was soaking up the pressure, he fell and the game hung on a knife's edge. Who will blink first on Monday? Will Chris Woakes have to come out with a dislocated shoulder and bat one-handed? Will Siraj and co. produce one final drama in this soap opera of a Test series?
News18
23 minutes ago
- News18
Will Chris Woakes Come In To Bat On Day 5 Of Oval Test? Joe Root Gives Big Update
Last Updated: England's Joe Root has lauded Chris Woakes' dedication despite injury, comparing him to India's Rishabh Pant. Ace England batter Joe Root has said that, as everyone saw India vice-captain Rishabh Pant coming in to bat during the fourth Test despite fracturing his toe, Chris Woakes is also ready to put his body on the line for the team, although he is in immense pain. Woakes had to leave the field on Thursday after landing on his left shoulder while saving a ball smacked by Karun Nair at long-off late during Day 1 of the game. Woakes looked in visible pain as he walked off the field with his left arm wrapped in his sweater. 'Chris Woakes is in a huge amount of pain. We have seen this series, Rishabh Pant batting with a broken foot, Woakes is ready to put his body on the line for England," Root said while speaking at the end of the day's play on Sunday, August 3. At the end of the day, England needed 35 runs to win and India needed three wickets, but if Woakes comes in to bat on Monday, India would need four wickets. 'England seamer Chris Woakes will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the Rothesay Fifth Test at The Kia Oval, following a left shoulder injury sustained on day one of the match against India," the ECB had said in a statement on Friday. 'At this stage, the injury has ruled him out of any further participation in the Test. A further assessment will be conducted after the series," the ECB added. Woakes bowled 14 overs on Day 1, picking up the crucial wicket of KL Rahul and conceding 46 runs. Woakes' injury has added to the woes of England, who are missing multiple key cricketers, including skipper Ben Stokes. Gus Atkinson picked up two wickets from his 19 overs on Day 1 and seemed confident to take up the responsibility in Woakes' absence. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
23 minutes ago
- News18
What Was The Reason Behind Joe Root's Unique Celebration After Another Hundred?
Last Updated: Joe Root scored his 39th Test century, paying tribute to Graham Thorpe, who died by suicide. Root wore a bandana in Thorpe's style, highlighting mental health issues in cricket. On Sunday, seasoned England batter Joe Root scored his 39th Test century and paid tribute to former England batter Graham Thorpe, who died by suicide on August 4, 2024. Root honoured Thorpe, whose birth anniversary was two days prior, by wearing a bandana in his style on the fourth day of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval. Root anchored England's second innings and established a crucial partnership with Harry Brook. Together, they shared a 195-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Root reached his century with a double in the 60th over, bowled by Akash Deep. He achieved his hundred off 137 balls, hitting 12 fours. What particularly caught the eye and earned appreciation from England fans was his tribute after reaching the century. Root kissed the badge on his helmet, raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd's applause, then donned the 'Graham Thorpe headband' and pointed skyward. Watch: Thorpe was a premier batsman for England in both red-ball and white-ball cricket from the mid-90s until 2005 when he retired. He served as the batting coach for the England Test team until he was dismissed, along with other support staff, following England's 0-4 defeat in the Ashes series of 2021-22. Thorpe, aged 55, died by suicide by stepping in front of a train. His family publicly disclosed that he had been struggling with mental health issues to raise awareness. By paying tribute to Thorpe upon completing his century, Root has brought attention to the mental health issues increasingly affecting cricketers due to the demanding lifestyle and various formats of the modern-day game. The left-handed batsman, who spent his entire professional career in south London with Surrey, scored 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66 in 100 matches from 1993 to 2005. Thorpe later held various coaching positions, including a role as England's batting coach, where he worked with current players such as Test captain Ben Stokes and Root. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
