Match summary: New Zealand 601 for 3 (Ravindra 165*, Conway 153, Nicholls 150*, Muzarabani 1-101) lead Zimbabwe 125 by 476 runs
NEW Zealand seized complete control of the second Test against Zimbabwe on a dominant second day, piling on a staggering 427 runs for the loss of just two wickets at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
Resuminon 174 for 1, New Zealand’s relentless batting performance saw them finish the day on a mammoth 601 for 3, establishing a commanding 476-run first-innings lead.
The day was defined by a trio of magnificent centuries from Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra, each batter reaching the landmark in a display of skill and authority.
This marked only the third time in Test history that three players from the same team scored 150 runs or more in an innings.
Devon Conway set the tone early, converting his overnight score into a brilliant 153.
Henry Nicholls, making a strong statement after being left out of the team for all of 2024, played a masterful innings of 150 not out, showcasing his resilience and class.
But it was Rachin Ravindra who stole the show with a scintillating career-best 165 not out from just 139 balls, his third and fastest Test hundred.
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His explosive knock in the final session completely took the game away from the hosts.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled tirelessly throughout the day on a flat pitch, with Blessing Muzarabani (1-101) being the only one of the main bowlers to claim a wicket.
Reflecting on the tough day, Zimbabwe’s bowling coach Charl Langeveldt showed empathy for his bowlers.
“I feel for the bowlers, but they showed a lot of character,” he told the media.
“We were put under pressure because they scored quite quickly and it was difficult.
“The spinners did well. They brought the run-rate back, and then he [Ravindra] just came in and displayed a knock of 165 from 139 balls and took the game away.”
With a significant lead, New Zealand is expected to declare early on the third morning, leaving Zimbabwe with the daunting task of batting to save the Test match.
