- August 12, 2025
ZIM vs NZ (2nd Test) – Highlights
New Zealand’s innings-and-359-run victory wasn’t just a win—it was an emphatic statement of dominance, blending patient accumulation with explosive strokeplay, backed by a bowling attack that hunted in packs and gave Zimbabwe no chance to breathe. This result not only sealed the series but also reinforced New Zealand’s superiority on Zimbabwean soil during this tour.
From the very start, New Zealand’s bowlers applied relentless pressure on the Zimbabwean batting lineup. In their first innings, Zimbabwe managed only 125 runs, with their top order struggling to find any rhythm. Matt Henry was the standout bowler, dismantling the Zimbabwean top and middle order with a devastating five-wicket haul. His accuracy and persistence kept Zimbabwe on the back foot, with Brian Bennett and Trevor Gwandu dismissed for ducks. Zakary Foulkes supported well, picking up four crucial wickets, ensuring Zimbabwe’s innings collapsed quickly under sustained pressure.
This was an innings that was tactical as well as clinical. The innings revolved around Devon Conway, who was left not out at 153 off 245 balls. It was a magnificent, methodical mixture of aggression and patience to score 18 boundaries, and in the end, the partnership did the necessary fielding work to play anchor when it mattered. Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra also played some explosive innings scoring 150 not out and 165 not out respectively. And their dismissals would never have mattered as they played superbly well together to complete the innings at a monumental 601 for 3 declared.
It was apparent that the NZ batsmen tended aggressive against the Zimbabwean bowling – New Zealand were a step above Zimbabwe! As noted on numerous occasions above, the Zimbabwean bowlers worked exceptionally hard, but sadly, they perhaps were not able to bowl New Zealand out early enough to challenge for any dismissals.
The ZIM second innings began with a glimmer of hope when Nick Welch played a resilient knock of 47 runs. However, their batting efforts were once again cut short by a clinical New Zealand bowling attack led by Zakary Foulkes, who claimed five wickets in the innings. Jacob Duffy also chipped in with two crucial wickets, helping New Zealand wrap up the innings quickly for just 117 runs. The swift dismissal meant Zimbabwe could not avoid an innings defeat, ending the match far from competitive.
Matt Henry was rightly named the Player of the Series for his match-winning bowling performances, taking 16 wickets across the two Tests and consistently troubling the Zimbabwe batsmen. Devon Conway, for his part, was named Player of the Match for his resolute and high-impact innings that set the platform for New Zealand’s commanding position.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Scoreboard
Zimbabwe – 125 & 117
New Zealand –601/3d
Result –New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs
Player of the Match – Devon Conway
Devon Conway
ZIM vs NZ Playing XIs
Zimbabwe | Brian Bennett, Brendan Taylor, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Trevor Gwandu, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga |
New Zealand | Devon Conway, Will Young, Jacob Duffy, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner (c), Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Matthew Fisher |
