Despite an impressive innings of 44 from Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe endured a difficult first day in the second Test against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, the home side were bundled out for just 125, a total quickly overtaken by the visiting openers, who reached stumps at 174 for one without much trouble.
The match marked Taylor’s return to the Zimbabwean side after serving an ICC ban.
He was slotted in as an opener in place of Ben Curran.
Now 39, Taylor is playing his first Test in four years – 21 years after making his debut.
His experience was clearly needed as Zimbabwe endured a rocky start.
Brian Bennett fell without scoring, caught low at second slip by Will Young off Matt Henry in the bowler’s second over – with just a no-ball on the scoreboard at the time.
It could have been worse for Zimbabwe, as Young spilled a catch off the very next delivery, giving Nick Welch a life.
However, Welch could not capitalise, falling for 11 as he was trapped lbw while attempting a drive off Henry.
Zimbabwe slumped to 30 for two.
Sean Williams got off to a brisk start but managed only 11 off 13 balls before being undone by a good delivery from debutant Zakary Foulkes, with Young holding on to another sharp chance in the slips – 43 for three.
Taylor, looking composed on 18, was joined by Craig Ervine, who struggled for runs against the moving ball.
He had made just seven when, in the final over before lunch, he misjudged a drive outside off stump from Foulkes and gifted Young his third catch of the session.
Zimbabwe went into lunch at 67 for four, with Taylor steady on 33 not out, underlining his value despite years in the wilderness.
After the break, Taylor resumed confidently and moved to 44 before a lapse in concentration saw him drive a simple catch to extra cover off Henry.
Zimbabwe were now five down for 83.
Things deteriorated rapidly.
Without a run added, Sikandar Raza (5) glanced a ball from Foulkes straight to leg slip.
Two balls later, Trevor Gwandu was trapped lbw attempting a back-foot defensive stroke.
At 94, Vincent Masekesa (1) was bowled by Henry, and once the total reached 100, Blessing Muzarabani (3) was the ninth to fall – bowled by Henry, who claimed his fifth wicket.
However, the final pair, Tafadzwa Tsiga and Tanaka Chivanga, offered some resistance, adding 25 runs in 43 minutes before Chivanga was caught at mid-off playing a loose shot off Matthew Fisher.
Chivanga made a gritty four off 22 balls, while Tsiga once again showed his temperament and ability, remaining unbeaten on 33 off 54 deliveries.
Zimbabwe’s total of 125 was far below par.
Henry returned excellent figures of five for 40 from 15 overs, while Foulkes ended with four for 38.
In response, New Zealand made a fluent start, with Devon Conway and Young plundering 23 runs off the first three overs.
They batted with assurance and passed Zimbabwe’s total without losing a wicket.
Gwandu eventually provided Zimbabwe with a breakthrough late in the day, as Young chopped on trying to pull.
He had scored a commanding 74 in an opening stand worth 162.
At stumps, Conway was unbeaten on 79, Jacob Duffy was on eight, and New Zealand were in control at 174 for one.
Zimbabwe – 125 all out in 48.5 overs (Brendan Taylor 44, Tafadzwa Tsiga 33*, Sean Williams 11; Matt Henry 5/40, Zakary Foulkes 4/38, Matthew Fisher 1/16)
New Zealand – 174-1 in 39 overs (Devon Conway 79*, Will Young 74, Jacob Duffy 8*; Trevor Gwandu 1/31)
Day 1 – Stumps: New Zealand lead by 49 runs
