- August 4, 2025
ZIM vs NZ (1st Test) – Highlights
New Zealand cruised to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. Over the course of three days, the visitors outclassed the hosts in all departments, with Matt Henry’s exceptional bowling and a solid team performance sealing the win and giving the Black Caps a 1-0 lead in the series.
Zimbabwe won the toss and opted to bat first, but their top order struggled to cope with New Zealand’s pace attack. Matt Henry made an immediate impact, removing Brian Bennett and Ben Curran early before dismissing the dangerous Sikandar Raza. Nick Welch and Craig Ervine tried to anchor the innings, with Ervine grinding out a patient 39, but the lack of support from the middle order meant Zimbabwe folded for just 149 in their first innings. Henry was the star, finishing with remarkable figures of 6 for 39, while debutant Nathan Smith backed him up well with 3 for 20.
In response, New Zealand put on a strong batting display, led by Devon Conway’s fluent 88 off 170 balls. Conway stitched together important partnerships with Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, who struck a brisk 80 to push the visitors into a dominant position. Despite brief fightbacks from the Zimbabwean bowlers—most notably Blessing Muzarabani, who claimed three wickets—New Zealand posted 307, taking a vital first-innings lead of 158 runs.
Zimbabwe did a better job in their 2nd innings, but unfortunately couldn’t deliver it. Once again, they lost early wickets, which stifled their relegated innings; this time, it was Will O’Rourke and then Matt Henry continuing to take wickets. Sean Williams had a good counterattack with 49, and Tavadzwa Tsiga dug in with 27, but Mitchell Santner came in and spun through the tail to complete a tidy 4 for 27.
New Zealand lost Devon Conway early in the chase, bowled by Newman Nyamhuri, but that was the only hiccup in an otherwise routine finish. Will Young and Henry Nicholls calmly saw the visitors over the line in just 2.2 overs, wrapping up the game inside three days.
Matt Henry was rightly named Player of the Match for his match-winning figures of 6 for 39 and 3 for 51, showcasing his consistency and control with the ball. New Zealand’s dominance with both bat and ball sets the tone for the series, while Zimbabwe will have to regroup quickly to pose a greater challenge in the second Test.
Zimbabwe vs New Zealand Scoreboard
Zimbabwe– 149 & 165
New Zealand – (T: 8) 307 & 8/1
Result – New Zealand won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match – Matt Henry
Matt Henry
ZIM vs NZ Playing XIs
Zimbabwe | Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Newman Nyamhuri, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga |
New Zealand | Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke |
