New Zealand seized control of the first Test on Day 2 in Bulawayo, building a commanding 158‑run first-innings lead before striking twice with the new ball to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 31/2 in their second innings.
Resuming on 92/0, New Zealand’s batting depth came to the fore as Devon Conway anchored the top order with a composed 88. Henry Nicholls provided steady support with 34, while Daryl Mitchell played the pivotal hand in the middle order, scoring a resilient 80 to push the total to 307. Mitchell’s partnerships with the lower order ensured New Zealand translated their early platform into a significant advantage.
Matt Henry and Nathan Smith’s exploits with the ball had already shredded Zimbabwe’s first innings for 149, and their impact continued as the bowlers kept the hosts under pressure. Henry’s pace and movement proved decisive once again, while Smith, despite leaving the field late in the day with an abdominal strain, contributed with crucial breakthroughs.
Zimbabwe’s reply faltered immediately. Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran fell cheaply, exposing the middle order against a confident New Zealand seam attack. With the deficit still 127 runs and eight wickets in hand, Zimbabwe face the daunting task of batting long to salvage any chance of competing in the match.
Conway’s innings stood out for its composure under pressure, while Mitchell’s ability to marshal the tail emphasized New Zealand’s depth and adaptability. Nicholls quietly crossed the 3,000 Test run mark, adding another personal milestone to the day’s play.
For Zimbabwe, the challenge is survival. Their bowlers had brief success late in New Zealand’s innings, with Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga finding some movement, but their batters now carry the weight of saving the Test. The top order’s failure to blunt the new ball has put the hosts on the back foot heading into Day 3.
New Zealand, on the other hand, are in a commanding position. Their objective will be to wrap up the remaining wickets quickly and potentially enforce a follow-on if conditions allow. With Nathan Smith’s fitness a potential concern, the rest of the attack will need to step up to maintain pressure.
As play heads into the third day, the momentum lies firmly with the Black Caps. Zimbabwe’s only route back is through disciplined batting and partnerships capable of erasing the deficit. Anything less, and New Zealand are poised to turn their early advantage into a dominant victory.