New Zealand Secures Massive Innings Victory Over Zimbabwe in Second Test

BULAWAYO: New Zealand achieved a remarkable innings and 359-run victory against Zimbabwe in the second Test at the Queens Sports Club on Saturday. In the process, the former ICC World Test Championship (WTC) champions surpassed a long-held bowling record previously set by Pakistan.

The Black Caps’ pace attack proved too strong, dismissing Zimbabwe for just 125 and 117 in their respective innings. All 20 wickets were taken by New Zealand’s fast bowlers.

This feat made New Zealand only the second team to claim all 20 wickets via pace bowlers in a Test match held in Zimbabwe. Pakistan was the first to accomplish this, achieving the milestone in 1995 during a Test in Harare.

Key Performances

Zakary Foulkes, making his debut, spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling attack, securing nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings. Matt Henry, with his experience, contributed significantly with seven wickets, five of which he took in the first innings.

Matthew Fisher and Jacob Duffy, also part of the pace attack, supported well by taking two wickets each.

This match marked only the fifth occasion where New Zealand’s pace bowlers have claimed all 20 wickets in an away Test. The last instance was during the WTC 2021 final against India.

Batting Prowess

New Zealand’s batting lineup also shone, with Devon Conway (153), Will Young (150), and Rachin Ravindra (165) each scoring over 150 runs. Their contributions propelled the team to a formidable total of 601/3 declared, their highest ever against Zimbabwe in this format.

The tourists’ comprehensive performance resulted in their most significant victory by runs in Test cricket, winning by an innings and 359 runs.

Overall, this victory ranks as the third-highest innings win margin in Test history, trailing only England’s innings and 579-run win against Australia in 1938 and Australia’s innings and 360-run triumph over South Africa in 2022.

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