New Zealand crushed Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs in the second Test match of the two-match series at Bulawayo. Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Henry Nicholls each scored 150 runs, creating a huge total against Zimbabwe. Zakary Foulkes had a debut to remember. The fast bowler recorded the best-ever bowling figures by a New Zealand player in their first Test match. The team effort helped the Black Caps secure their biggest Test victory. With this win, New Zealand swept the Test series 2-0.
Dominance from the Start
New Zealand began the day with an overnight lead of 476 runs. They declared before play and took the field with confidence. In an extended first session, they dismissed Zimbabwe in just 28.1 overs.
Foulkes Steps Up
Foulkes replaced injured players Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke. He showed New Zealand’s bowling depth with a devastating eight-over spell full of late inswing.
Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy struck early. Foulkes kept the pressure on, so stand-in skipper Mitchell Santner never even had to bowl.
Zimbabwe’s Batting Woes Continue
Zimbabwe once again failed against moving deliveries and real pace. Only Nick Welch scored 47, while just one other batter reached double figures. Their best partnership was only 25 runs.
The collapse started early. Brian Bennett fell to a well-set trap — two balls moved away, followed by one that darted in from Henry to smash middle stump. Brendan Taylor hit a boundary to get off the mark but soon edged to slip.
Early Breakthroughs
Debutant Duffy claimed his first Test wicket when Sean Williams’ leg-side flick ballooned for a caught-and-bowled. Welch and Craig Ervine fought briefly, but Ervine’s edge to third slip mirrored his first-innings dismissal, showing a weakness.
Sikandar Raza’s short-ball struggles continued. For the fourth time this series, he fended one away and was caught at gully off Foulkes.
Foulkes Cleans Up
Foulkes then removed wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, before bowling Vincent Masekesa and Trevor Gwandu with two deliveries that started outside off, swung in, and hit the stumps. Blessing Muzarabani fell next, top-edging to square leg, giving Foulkes his fifth wicket.
Duffy nearly wrapped up the innings when Tanaka Chivanga edged to slip, but a no-ball saved him briefly. Soon after, Chivanga was caught at gully by Devon Conway.