Captain Mitch Santner delivered match-winning bowling figures as New Zealand secured victory against Zimbabwe by nine wickets during Friday's third day play. The left-arm spinner claimed four wickets for 27 runs while dismissing the home team for 165 runs. Zimbabwe required 158 runs to prevent an innings defeat but fell short despite several partnerships. Devon Conway struck an early boundary before Newman Nyamhuri bowled him, leaving Henry Nicholls to complete the chase with a winning shot. New Zealand needed merely eight runs to finish their dominant performance.
Zimbabwe resumed their second innings at 31 for two wickets but lost their overnight batsmen quickly to pace bowler Will O'Rourke. Sean Williams scored 49 runs while Craig Ervine contributed 22 during a fifth-wicket partnership worth 57 runs. Santner and Matt Henry removed both players before lunch break. Tafadzwa Tsiga and Blessing Muzarabani provided late resistance with a 36-run ninth-wicket stand. The second Test begins on Thursday at the same venue.
Zimbabwe resumed their second innings at 31 for two wickets but lost their overnight batsmen quickly to pace bowler Will O'Rourke. Sean Williams scored 49 runs while Craig Ervine contributed 22 during a fifth-wicket partnership worth 57 runs. Santner and Matt Henry removed both players before lunch break. Tafadzwa Tsiga and Blessing Muzarabani provided late resistance with a 36-run ninth-wicket stand. The second Test begins on Thursday at the same venue.
