New Zealand made a commanding start to their two-Test series against Zimbabwe, sealing a nine-wicket victory in the first match at Bulawayo. The visitors dominated from start to finish, dismissing Zimbabwe for 149 and 165, before chasing down the modest target with ease to take a 1–0 lead.
The star of the match was Matt Henry, who produced a sensational bowling performance to claim a nine-wicket match haul. His figures of 6/39 in the first innings set the tone, dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting lineup early and ensuring New Zealand took control from the outset. Henry returned in the second innings to add three more wickets, showing remarkable consistency and precision throughout the game. His ability to generate movement off the surface and maintain relentless pressure left Zimbabwe’s batters with few answers.
Mitchell Santner, standing in as captain, played a pivotal role in the win both tactically and with the ball. In the second innings, his 4/27 tightened the screws on Zimbabwe, removing key batters including captain Craig Ervine and all-rounder Sean Williams. Santner’s leadership was praised for maintaining calm despite injury setbacks to the bowling attack, with Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke unable to complete full workloads. His use of the spinners in tandem with the seamers ensured New Zealand never allowed Zimbabwe to build meaningful partnerships.
With the bat, New Zealand’s first innings total of 307 was built on steady contributions from Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, who guided the team into a strong position after Henry’s early damage with the ball. When Zimbabwe were bundled out again for 165 in their second innings, the result was never in doubt. Chasing a target of just eight runs, New Zealand knocked off the runs in under three overs, losing only one wicket in the process to secure the win within three days.
This victory underlined New Zealand’s adaptability. Despite missing key players and having to reshuffle leadership duties, the team maintained discipline and executed their plans with precision. Henry’s performance in particular drew widespread acclaim, cementing his role as a spearhead in the absence of senior pacers. Santner’s composed captaincy and match-winning spell added another layer of depth to New Zealand’s all-round strength.
For Zimbabwe, the defeat highlighted familiar struggles. The batting lineup was unable to handle sustained pressure, and while a few players showed brief resistance, they could not convert starts into significant scores. The home side will need to regroup quickly, especially with the second Test starting on August 7 at the same venue.
With this result, New Zealand hold a 1–0 advantage in the two-match series and carry strong momentum into the final fixture. The combination of Henry’s pace, Santner’s spin, and the batting unit’s composure leaves them well-placed to aim for a clean sweep. For Zimbabwe, the challenge is clear: counter New Zealand’s disciplined attack and find a way to build lasting partnerships under pressure.