Day Four, First Test v Zimbabwe, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Overview
Kane Williamson’s tenure as BLACKCAPS Test captain is off to a winning start, after his side completed an innings and 117 run victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Sunday.
Three dominant days of cricket had the visitors requiring just five wickets for victory on day four and they were made to work hard for everyone of them.
Led by a defiant Sean Williams century, the hosts survived until just before tea, when Neil Wagner claimed the final wicket and his eighth for the match, while Trent Boult finished the second innings with four for 52.
The bowlers were pipped for the man of the match award by team mate Ross Taylor and his chanceless 173 not out in the first innings.
The BLACKCAPS will now enjoy an extra days rest and a team trip out to the farm of former Zimbabwe pace bowler Heath Streak, before returning to Bulawayo later in the week to build up to the final Test on Saturday.
Numbers
1 from one for captain Kane Williamson in Tests at the helm
2 fielders in front of square for much of Neil Wagner’s pre lunch assault with the ball
6 days until the second Test
13 on the ICC bowling rankings for Wagner after his career best 8 for 103
49 Tests played by Kane Williamson and Tim Southee
106 balls faced by Sean Williams for his century, the fastest Test century by a Zimbabwean.
Blood, sweat and tears
One for the hosts. With their team’s back firmly against the wall, the partnership between centurion Sean Williams and captain Graeme Cremer should give Zimbabwe some real hope for the second Test. The pair combined for a 118 run seventh wicket stand and genuinely frustrated the BLACKCAPS bowlers for a niggly period in the second session.
Quirk
The sight of BJ Watling standing up to Trent Boult and Tim Southee during their spells with the old ball after lunch #gutsy
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
The enigma that is Test cricket was clear for all to see as Zimbabwe, who had lost their first 14 wickets in the Test match for 181 runs, put on 253 runs for the next four wickets as the tables were turned temporarily on the fourth day.
Quote
“Reverse swing is something you’ve got to be able to do over here because if you just run in and keep trying to hit the top of off you’ll be doing it for four and half days!”
- BLACKCAPS coach Mike Hesson comments on the nature of the flat Zimbabwe pitches.
#SantnerFoodwatch
Spotted early doors in the changing room having a morning hot perk to get him going … head over to twitter for more @blackcaps
Day Three, First Test v Zimbabwe, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Scorecard: Zimbabwe 164 & 121-5 (Trent Boult 3-33) trail the BLACKCAPS 576-6 dec (Ross Taylor 173*, BJ Watling 107, Tom Latham 105, Kane Williamson 91) by 291 runs
Overview
Centuries from Ross Taylor and BJ Watling, and a devastating spell of new-ball bowling from Trent Boult, has put the BLACKCAPS in total command of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Taylor and Watling were immovable objects on day three, putting on a partnership worth 253 runs and taking the BLACKCAPS first-innings lead to a massive 413 runs. Taylor brought up his 14th Test century off 191 balls, while Watling reached his sixth such accolade off 169 balls.
With individual milestones achieved and the lead large enough to rule out any chance of losing the Test, captain Kane Williamson called his batsmen in with 21 overs remaining in the day.
While already in the box-seat, Tim Southee and Boult proceeded to significantly extend the BLACKCAPS advantage, taking four wickets in the opening four overs. Zimbabwe did fight back from 17-4 to 121-5 at stumps, but still face a huge deficit to force the BLACKCAPS to pad up again.
Five wickets stand between the BLACKCAPS and a 1-0 series lead.
Numbers
7: Trent Boult became the seventh bowler to take 150 test wickets for New Zealand.
39: The number of runs Taylor needs to surpass Martin Crowe and become New Zealand’s third leading Test run-scorer of all time.
223.5: Taylor’s average against Zimbabwe
Quirk
We paid tribute to the sensational rave music played by the DJ (his name is Eli FYI) on day one, but he showed on day thee that he wasn’t afraid to mix it up. In-between Rihanna’s Work, Work, Work, Work, Work and DJ Snake’s Turn Down for What, there was a more Kiwi flavour two help celebrate Ross Taylor and BJ Watling’s centuries.
Taylor raised his bat to Dave Dobbyn’s Slice of Heaven, while Watling was treated to Patea Maori Club’s Poi E. Two terrific tons, two classic tunes.
Blood, sweat and tears
A shout out to the dirties (sub fielders). Sitting outside running drinks in 30 degree heat for 90 overs a day isn’t the most glamorous role in the world, but keeping the boys hydrated is important. Slip, slop, clap lads.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
It was wickets or runs at the start of the Zimbabwe innings. Four batsmen came and went in the first four overs, while the hosts run-rate is close to a run a ball - better than watching the Highlanders lose their Super Rugby Semi-Final.
#SantnerFoodWatch
A Saturday evening treat of our allrounder - indulged in a piece of pepperoni pizza. He’ll probably manage to work it off tomorrow while bowling in 30 degrees heat.
Day Two, First Test v Zimbabwe, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Scorecard: BLACKCAPS 315-4 (Tom Latham 105, Kane Williamson 91) lead Zimbabwe 164 (Neil Wagner 6-41) by 151 runs
Overview
A terrific knock of 105 from Tom Latham and graceful 91 from captain Kane Williamson has put the BLACKCAPS in a commanding position on day two.
The two vertically challenged, but extremely talented batsmen put on 156 for the second wicket, surpassing Zimbabwe’s total of 164. The pair batted the entire second session, with the BLACKCAPS heading to tea at 214-1.
Latham reached his own milestone shortly after the break, notching his fourth Test century off 200 balls. Williamson looked odd ons to join him, but a classy bit of bowling from Graeme Cremerdenied him, edging to first slip.
Ross Taylor and night watchman Ish Sodhi too the BLACKCAPS through until stumps, and will resume tomorrow at 315-4
Quirk
It’s well known that Tom Latham’s Dad, Rod, also played for New Zealand. Not so well known is that Rod scored one century during his tenure with Test team - 119 against Zimbabwe in 1982. Now 34 years later, two Latham’s have raised their bat in Bulawayo. Like father, like son. Warm fuzzies.
Numbers
29: The temperature in degrees celsius on day two.
63: When Williamson reached 63 not out, his Test batting average became exactly 50. Unfortunately has dipped just under after he went out.
68: When Latham reached 68 not out, his Test batting average became exactly 40.
Blood, sweat and tears
Got to be Latham. Over five hours in the middle in hot and humid conditions is sapping for anyone. An ice bath awaited the opener when he finally headed back to the shed.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
Watching Kane Williamson bat is never boring, it’s a privilege.
#SantnerFoodWatch
How does Santner have his coffee? No milk, no sugar.
Picture on Twitter at #SantnerFoodWatch
Day One, First Test v Zimbabwe, Queen’s Sports Club, Bulawayo
Scorecard: BLACKCAPS 32-0 (Tom Latham 16*, Martin Guptill 14*) trail Zimbabwe 164 all out (Neil Wagner 6-41, Mitchell Santner 2-14) by 132 runs
Overview
The first day, of the first Test of the season, with Kane Williamson wearing the captain’s blazer for the first time.
His first toss didn’t go to plan though, with fellow rookie skipper Graeme Cremer winning the flip of the coin for Zimbabwe and opting to bat first on a flat looking pitch.
But the BLACKCAPS would own the first two sessions, picking up eight wickets and reducing Zimbabwe to 72-8. Tim Southee opened up the wickets column with a breakthrough in the opening over, but it was Neil Wagner who stole the show, grabbing his third career five-wicket bag.
The ever-aggressive 30 year-old extracted venomous bounce from the Queens Sports Club pitch and had the Zimbabwe batsmen ducking and diving. He was rewarded in the 17th over with the wicket of Chamu Chibhabha, but it was in his second spell in which he inflicted the most damage.
Three wickets in four balls crippled the Zimbabwe line-up, with Wagner’s short pitched approach behind each scalp that fell. On what had been expected to be a slow and challenging deck, Wagner had wrangled something spectacular out of the surface.
The hosts displayed impressive fight in the final session through a partnership of 87 between Prince Masvaure and Donald Tiripano. Southee eventually brought that to an end, before Wagner finished things off to grab career best figures of 6-41.
Martin Guptill and Tom Latham saw out the final 10 overs of the day to guide the BLACKCAPS to 32-0. They’ll resume day two with a deficit of 132 runs.
Numbers
2. The number of balls it took for the BLACKCAPS to get their first wicket (bowled Southee, caught Guptill).
7. How many balls before someone accidently obstructed the sightscreen.
29. When Kane Williamson stepped over the boundary rope for the first session, he became the 29th New Zealander to have skippered the BLACKCAPS in Test cricket. Special honour for a special player.
Blood, sweat and tears
Wagner the warrior. Bowled more overs than anyone else, with approximately half of them being energy sapping short deliveries. If he was an African animal, would most certainly be a lion.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring
Aside from the entertainment of watching a wild and ruthless Wagner, the DJ at the ground also made sure there was never a dull moment. House, Techno and R&B were all pumped into the crowd at Queens Sport Club. Rave and Test cricket - compatible?
Key quote
Wagner on his use of the bouncer: "It's about trying to keep batsman off the front foot. It helps put doubt in their mind and can affect their balance."
Quirk
Someone in Zimbabwe seems to have missed the result of the NZ flag referendum last year and had Kyle Lockwood's black, blue and white proposal on the tv graphics. Whoopsie!
#SantnerFoodWatch
Was spotted eating bacon and eggs on toast for breakfast at the team hotel. To investigate further just search the hashtag on Twitter.
Tomorrow’s forecast
Dry. Hot. Cloudless. Similar to New Zealand?
