New Zealand maintained the upper hand in their one-off Test against Zimbabwe on Wednesday, despite the hosts fighting back strongly throughout the second day at Queens Sports Club. Zimbabwe went to stumps on 82 for one, with opener Vusi Sibanda unbeaten on 53, as they responded to New Zealand's first innings total of 426 all out.
While the Black Caps will be happy to have the runs on the board on a pitch which is beginning to take turn, Zimbabwe could reflect on a good day's work with both bat and ball that coach Alan Butcher labelled their best since returning to Test cricket in August.
Fast bowler Chris Mpofu claimed career-best figures of four for 92 as New Zealand lost their last five wickets for just 25 runs, leaving them short of the hefty total they looked destined for when they resumed on 275 for three on the second morning. Although Zimbabwe opener Tino Mawoyo was trapped lbw by Daniel Vettori in the left-arm spinner's second over, Sibanda put on an unbroken stand of 58 with Hamilton Masakadza to leave Zimbabwe 344 runs adrift at the close of play with nine wickets in hand.
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