New Zealand completed its biggest win in Test cricket with a crushing innings and 359-run victory over Zimbabwe to clinch the series 2-0 in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Zimbabwe, which suffered its heaviest Test defeat, was bowled out for 117 after New Zealand declared overnight on 601-3 following centuries by Devon Conway (153), Rachin Ravindra (165 not out) and Henry Nicholls (150 not out).
Seamer Zakary Foulkes completed figures of 5-37 to go with 4-38 in their first innings — the best by a New Zealander on debut.
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Nick Welch put up lone resistance for the home side with an unbeaten 47 and captain Craig Ervine (17) was the only other player to get into double figures. Extras (16) was the third highest scorer.
“It’s been a great series,” New Zealand seamer Matt Henry said. “I think as a group we knew that we needed to capitalise on the new ball and ask questions early.
“The skillset we have as a group, we can complement each other. The way the guys are coming in and backing their skillset, it’s awesome to see.”
Trailing by 476 on its first innings, it was always going to be a tall order for Zimbabwe to make its visitor bat again, but it would have hoped its second innings lasted longer than 28.1 overs.
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Having lost Brian Bennett (0) in the first over, the host was quickly in trouble as Brendan Taylor (7), back from a three-and-a-half year ICC suspension, followed him back to the pavilion with Henry (2-16) removing both openers.
When experienced batter Sikandar Raza (4) fell, the score was 54-5 and Foulkes ran through the tail.
“It’s obviously been disappointing, specially the way we finished today,” Ervine said. “But we had a really tough, high-skilled opposition and it shows where we stand as a team in the Test circuit.”
