Day Five, Second Test v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo
Result: BLACKCAPS win by 254 runs
The BLACKCAPS have overcome Zimbabwe 2-nil in the Test series, after completing a convincing 254 run victory over the hosts on day five in Bulawayo.
Part-time spinner Martin Guptill proved an unlikely hero, claiming crucial wickets either side of lunch en route to career best figures of 3 for 11 as Zimbabwe were dismissed in the second session for 132.
Scorecard
First Test Match Report
Ish Sodhi also contributed three wickets, taking his match figures to 7-79, a new career best.
Kane Williamson was awarded man of the match for his feast of runs and captaincy, while Neil Wagner claimed man of the series after finishing with 11 wickets.
The BLACKCAPS head to Durban on Thursday ahead of their keenly awaited two Test series against South Africa.
Start of play – Zim 58-3
Lunch - Zim 112-5
End of match – Zim 132 all out
Numbers
8 – days until the first Test against South Africa (Friday 19th)
11 – wickets for Man of the Series Neil Wagner
50 – Kane Williamson’s toss percentage
364 – runs for Ross Taylor in the series (without being dismissed)
Infinity – the amount of time Martin Guptill will remind his teammates about his mercurial spell of bowling
Blood, sweat and tears
The scorecard didn’t always reflect it, but Zimbabwe fought ferociously every step of the way. They were also unfortunate with a couple of umpiring decisions not going their way.
Quirk
The Barmy Army probably hold claim to having the best crowd songs, but the Zimbabwe locals certainly gave it a good crack. One favourite amongst the BLACKCAPS staff was the singing (and dancing) of Head, shoulders, knees and toes. If you don’t know the tune we’re referring to just ask a five year-old.
Shot (Batsman) of the day
Donald Tirpano started the series as a number nine batsman, but has made a pretty good case to go up the order. Backing up from his unbeaten 49 in the opening match, Tiripano came in as night-watchman yesterday and saw out 75 balls for his 22. BLACKCAPS Coach Mike Hesson made special mention of his ‘sound’ technique post-match.
Ball (bowler) of the day
Guptill. Three big scalps. Series Centurions' Ervine and Williams alongside the opposition skip Cremer.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
An opening batsman took three wickets on day five of a Test match. You’d have a crystal ball if you predicted that.
Quote
"We knew it was going to be tough work and a lot of credit has to go to our bowlers for putting in the hard yards” - BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson.
#SantnerFoodWatch
Day Four, Second Test v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo
Overview
A big day five looms for the BLACKCAPS, after they set Zimbabwe a competitive target of 387 to win in the fourth innings.
The BLACKCAPS resumed the fourth day needing four wickets to end the hosts’ first innings and did so for a further 57 runs, largely thanks to career best figures of 4-60 from leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. That gave the BLACKCAPS a lead of 220 and the opportunity to enforce the follow-on, an option which skipper Kane Williamson declined.
Instead, he and Ross Taylor combined for an unbeaten 140 third wicket partnership (Williamson 68*, Taylor 67*). The pair started cautiously, but after tea produced an onslaught of aggression, until declaring at 166-2.
That left 116 overs for the BLACKCAPS to bowl Zimbabwe out, or the home side to chase down the target. The opening batsman troubled the BLACKCAPS for close to 17 overs, but three late strikes swayed things in the visitors’ favour.
Seven wickets to go for the BLACKCAPS, 328 runs for Zimbabwe.
Lunch
NZ 6/0, Latham 6*, Guptill 0*
Tea
NZ 118/2, Williamson 53* Taylor 36*
Stumps
ZIM 58-3, Tiripano 0*, Ervine 0*
Numbers
1 – The number of times Mike Hesson said he’s seen Kane Williamson reverse-sweep in a Test match (that time being today)
1.34 – How far away Ross Taylor is away from having a career average of 50
2 – the number of four wicket hauls Ish Sodhi has in his young Test career
33 – The number of balls it took for Zimbabwe to get off the mark at the start of play
258 - Ross Taylor's average against Zimbabwe
Blood, sweat and tears
The BLACKCAPS bowlers will be charging in for the fourth straight day when they take the field tomorrow. Admittedly they had a 36 over break during the second innings, but you can guarantee there will be some tired bodies by the end of the Test.
Quirk
The DJ at the ground had some competition today. A large truck with an even bigger sound system was doing laps outside of the ground with music blaring at full noise. We’re not sure why.
Shot of the day
A trifecta of slog-sweeps for six from Taylor. The BLACKCAPS number four lost two balls and damaged a tree with some lusty blows towards the end of the innings.
Ball of the day
Neil Wagner was relentless with the ball all day and had the Zimbabwe batsmen ducking and diving with his short-pitched rockets. The 30-year-old showed he is no one trick pony though, putting the ball on a good length and getting the edge of Chibhabha to break Zimbabwe’s opening partnership. Important wicket.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
The four overs before the BLACKCAPS declared saw Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor either come down the wicket or swing for the rope every ball. Result – 48 runs at 12 per over. Some might call it slogging,we prefer entertaining.
Quote
“We’ve played on slow pitches before, but there’s certainly not too many pitches like this one in NZ,” - BLACKCAPS Fast bowler Trent Boult.
“I’m pretty confident that we can survive three sessions tomorrow” - Zimbabwe Coach Lance Klusener on his side’s chances tomorrow.
Day Three
Overview
Zimbabwe exacted a level of revenge on day three of the second Test, keeping the BLACKCAPS out in the field for the full 90 overs on what can only be described as a challenging pitch for the bowlers.
The BLACKCAPS bowling unit grafted tirelessly, but a maiden Test century to Craig Ervine (115*) and a knock of 71 by debutant Peter Moore kept the visitors at bay, with Zimbabwe heading to stumps at 305-6.
Having resumed day three with a deficit of 427 runs, Zimbabwe showed impressive temperament to narrow that down to 277 by day’s end.
The BLACKCAPS were incredibly economical for the opening two sessions of the day, but will feel they didn’t make the most of the second new ball.
Wickets will be a must tomorrow if they are to force a result.
Lunch
ZIM 107-3 (Craig Ervine 14*, Prince Masaure 0*)
Tea
ZIM 185-5 (Craig Ervine 48*, Sean Williams 9*)
Stumps
ZIM 305-6 (Craig Ervine 115*, Graeme Cremer)
Numbers
3 – the numbers of bowlers NZ have in the top 15 of the ICC Test bowlers rankings (Boult 9th, Southee 13, Wagner 14)
8 – the number of centuries we’ve had in the series so far
12 – the number of maidens Tim Southee bowled from his 25 overs in the innings
26 – how old BLACKCAPS skipper Kane Williamson turned today
148 – the sixth wicket partnership between Ervine and Moore
213 – the number of balls faced by Ervine in his three session knock
1817 – how many more runs Kane has scored by the age of 26 than any previous New Zealander (Williamson 4241, Fleming 2424)
Blood, sweat and tears
Sweat: Stuck on 99, Ervine survived a brilliant maiden over from Tim Southee, calmly and patiently waiting to get his first taste of triple digits. He and a noisy home crowd celebrated appropriately afterwards.
Quirk
Most media boxes around the world are pretty quiet. When a wicket falls or there is a great shot, there’s usually a flurry of typing as opposed to cheers. Not so in the Zimbabwe box – every four by the home team was celebrated and cheered loudly. Admittedly there might have been a few retaliatory fist-pumps when the BLACKCAPS took a wicket from this writer.
Shot of the day
Craig Ervine played some pretty strokes during his knock, but a gentle push down the group for four off Trent Boult in the final session takes the chocolates. All timing, all class.
Ball of the day
Hard to pin-point one, but Ish Sodhi bet the bat many a time for little reward on day three. The edge was elusive for our spinners, though credit for that goes to the Zimbabwe batsmen.
Play of the day
Chibhabha’s wicket at the end of the first session was a key one for the BLACKCAPS. Mitchell Santner has been probing for a while and was finally rewarded just before lunch (grilled chicken and beef stroganoff). A bit of extra loop lured Chibhabha into an upish drive which was brilliantly plucked out of the air by Kane Williamson at full stretch to his left. The movement was the key, great balance made a very tough catch look comfortable.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
Honesty call. 250 runs for six wicket in 90 overs – today was probably one for the cricket purists shall we say.
Quote
"We knew it was going to be tough and we weren't disappointed” - BLACKCAPS bowling coach Shane Jurgenson on the bowlers’ task of taking 10 wickets.
#SantnerFoodwatch
Grilled chicken and beef stroganoff was had by all including Santer’s Little Helper … this section is tailing off a little … does anyone care?
Day Two, Second Test v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo
Overview
The batting milestones came thick and fast for the BLACKCAPS on day two of the second Test in Bulawayo, as the visitors posted an imposing 582/4 declared at tea.
For the first time in New Zealand’s history, three partnerships of 150 runs were posted in an innings as Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and BJ Watling built on the day one effort.
Williamson’s 14th Test century saw him become the youngest ever player to post a hundred against every Test playing nation, while his average also went past 50.
Williamson milestones
The final session prove tough work for the BLACKCAPS bowlers, who toiled well, but Zimbabwe’s opening pair withheld considerable pressure to reach stumps at 55-0.
Zimbabwe will resume day three 427 runs behind.
Lunch
436/4, Taylor 50*, Watling 18*
Tea
582/4 dec, Taylor 124*, Watling 83*
Stumps
Zimbabwe 55-0
Numbers
3 on New Zealand’s all time Test run scorers list for Ross Taylor after passing his late mentor Martin Crowe’s 5444 run tally
13 players who have made a Test century against every nation
31 balls before Zimbabwe scored a run in their first innings
50 average for Kane Williamson after his polished 113
Blood, sweat and tears
Latham/Guptill, Latham/Williamson and Taylor/Watling all posted 150+ run partnerships to form the bedrock of the mammoth total.
Quirk
The sight of Kane Williamson lounging in the team viewing area with his Kiwi jandels on display as the TV cameras searched for any sign of a declaration.
Shot of the day
At some stage in the second session, Ross Taylor stood tall and ferociously pulled a short ball of the pace bowler to the mid wicket boundary. It was shades of a young Ross Taylor who would bludgeon the ball to all parts in any form. Nice to know he can still bash it with the best.
Ball of the day
Cremer managed to trap BLACKCAPS number five Henry Nicholls for just 15. Helped Zimbabwe take two wickets in the opening session of the day – no small achievement on this Bulawayo pitch.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
Kane Williamson … list the records
Quote
“He was just born to bat – and captain.” - Ross Taylor thought it was unlikely Williamson knew of his records, but described a couple of things he could do.
#SantnerFoodwatch
Slurp.
Day One
Overview
A 161 run opening partnership between Martin Guptill (87) and Tom Latham (136) set the tone and the platform for the BLACKCAPS on day one of the second Test, as the visitors amassed 329 for two after winning the toss and choosing to bat.
Latham negotiated nigh on three sessions at the crease en route to his 5th Test century, and he was ably supported by his captain in the afternoon as Kane Williamson took his career average to over 50, ending the day unbeaten on 95.
The pair will be aiming to inflict more pain on the home bowlers on day two and look for the middle order to try and put the foot down later in the day as the declaration pends.
Lunch
101/0, Guptill 49*, Latham 42*
Tea
206/1, Latham 78*, Williamson 30*
Stumps
329/2, Williamson 95*
Scorecard
Numbers
7 no balls by Zimbabwe in the first hour of play … tut tut
48.3 overs bowled before Zimbabwe claimed their first wicket
50 Kane Williamson’s average while he was 22 not out in his 50th Test … Am told he’s the first New Zealander to average 50 or more from 50 or more Tests
1500 Test runs for Tom Latham
Blood, sweat and tears
Tom Latham yet again showed why he is the hottest young opener in Test cricket. The 24-year-old Cantabrian applied himself to the task all day, patiently working his way to his second straight Test century. Old head on young shoulders. A joy to watch.
Quirk
The 36th over. Look it up…
Shot of the day
Tom Latham’s back foot punch. Stable base, high elbow, head still, stood tall #supershotthat
Ball of the day
When you only take one wicket in a days play, it’s fair to say the pickings are reasonably slim in this section. Captain Graeme Cremer bowled some decent nuts, but Donald Tiripano gets the gong for trapping Martin Guptill LBW on his way to what seemed a certain century.
Play of the day
Tom Latham. The quintessential Test opener. Played a gem on the opening day and deserves to further cash in on day two. Interestingly it’s the second time Latham has notched back to back Test centuries, after he first did the feat against Pakistan in the UAE in late 2014.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
The colour and sound coming out of the local supporters throughout the Saturday afternoon brought plenty to day one. Songs, flags, chants, wolf-whistles and plenty of enthusiastic cheering helped keep the home team’s heads up high on a tough day.
Quote
“Day two is traditionally the best day for batting here at the Queen’s Club” - ominous words from Zimbabwe spinner John Nyumbu about home track.
#SantnerFoodwatch
All quiet on this front. Although staying with the food theme - someone swiped the captain’s omelette at breakfast… Rather than getting angry, Kane simply halved the eggy delight with the perpetrator and all was well on the first morning of the Test.
