SCORECARDCOMMENTARY
LIVE
Test
Stumps
Day: 2, Session: 3
NZ lead by 476 runs
ZIM
125-10
601-3
NZ
New Zealand in Zimbabwe, 2 Test Series, 2025 |2nd Test |8/7/2025
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
| BATSMAN | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Nicholls | 150 | 245 | 15 | 0 | 61.22 |
| Rachin Ravindra * | 165 | 139 | 21 | 2 | 118.71 |
| BOWLERS | O | M | R | W | ECON |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tanaka Chivanga | 17 | 3 | 94 | 0 | 5.53 |
| Brian Bennett * | 11 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 3.91 |
Commentary
- Rachin really put his foot down as he closed in on 150, and he soon went past that mark, as did Nicholls. That late acceleration might well end up being the final act of New Zealand’s innings. An overnight declaration could be on the cards, and if that happens, Zimbabwe’s openers will be in for a challenging morning session up front. Craig Ervine and his men could not offer much resistance with the bat in their first innings, and whenever their turn comes to bat in the second innings, they will need to show real stomach for the fight. Saturday, 9th August, will be Day 3 of this Test, and it could well end up being the final day of the series. The first ball will be bowled at 8 am GMT. See you then. Cheers!
- While the hard new ball offered more assistance than the old cherry and Blessing Muzarabani extracted his trademark steep bounce, the lack of support from the other end blunted its impact. Rachin Ravindra was quick to get going, finding boundaries with ease, while Henry Nicholls at the other end held firm. In the final session, the hosts struggled to create even a half-chance as Nicholls and Rachin brought up centuries in an unbeaten 256-run stand.
- The overcast conditions before the start of play didn’t last long, and the Kiwi batters made hay under the sunshine. From Zimbabwe’s perspective, their pacers were wayward with their lines and lengths early on, and even the spinners lacked control on a surface that offered less assistance as the ball got softer and older. The arrival of the second new ball brought the dismissal of Devon Conway, but not before he had scored 153. That, however, was as good as it got for the hosts with the new ball.
- 427 runs in the day in 91 overs at a rate of 4.69, with 49 fours and 2 sixes. These numbers sum up the kind of dominant day New Zealand had. The Kiwis began the day with a 49-run lead, but by stumps, that advantage has stretched to 476, leaving Zimbabwe with an enormous mountain to climb. It was a day of long toil with little reward for Zimbabwe, and by the closing stages, they looked to be merely going through the motions, waiting for the day to draw to a close.
- 129.60Brian Bennett to Henry Nicholls, Flatter, fuller, and quicker, on off, Henry Nicholls drills it back to the bowler. And that will be STUMPS on Day 2, with New Zealand leading by 476 runs!
- 129.50Brian Bennett to Henry Nicholls, Close leave! This keeps coming straight with the arm, on a length, just outside off, Henry Nicholls watches the ball closely, and trusts the bounce and width to leave.
- 129.40Brian Bennett to Henry Nicholls, A bit too full on middle, Henry Nicholls lunges forward and eases it to the right of the bowler.
- 129.30Brian Bennett to Henry Nicholls, Wide on off and full, spinning away off the deck. Henry Nicholls strides across and opts to leave.
- 129.20Brian Bennett to Henry Nicholls, Slides it in, on middle and full, pushed gently back to the bowler by Nicholls.
- 129.11Brian Bennett to Rachin Ravindra, Short and outside off, Rachin Ravindra hangs back and chop-cuts it to the point region for a quick single.
- END OF OVER 129 | 6 Runs & 0 Wkt | NZ 600/3
- 90 overs have been completed but we still have about 4 minutes left in the day. We might be able to squeeze in a couple of overs. Brian Bennett comes back on to bowl, replacing Vincent Masekesa. 10-0-42-0 so far for Bennett.
- 128.60Tanaka Chivanga to Henry Nicholls, Chivanga digs in a steep bumper, on the top of the sticks. Henry Nicholls ducks underneath it.
- 128.51Tanaka Chivanga to Rachin Ravindra, In-between length, outside the off stump. Rachin Ravindra dabs it behind backward point for a single. 600 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND! This has been an absolute run-fest!
- 128.41Tanaka Chivanga to Henry Nicholls, 150 FOR HENRY NICHOLLS! Brilliantly done! He has stood like a wall and has fortified one end masterfully! On a length and slightly outside off, Nicholls chips it a bit uppishly to the square leg region for a single.
- 128.34Tanaka Chivanga to Henry Nicholls, FOUR! Smacked! A predictable short delivery, angling into the body of the left-hander. Henry Nicholls weighs on the back foot and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a boundary. The 250-run partnership comes up between these two!
- 128.20Tanaka Chivanga to Henry Nicholls, Yard behind full, on off, this is pushed firmly to cover.
- 128.10Tanaka Chivanga to Henry Nicholls, On the back of a length, around off, Henry Nicholls hits it to mid off.
- END OF OVER 128 | 20 Runs & 0 Wkt | NZ 594/3
- Out of the 90 overs scheduled for the day, 89 have already been bowled, yet there are still nine minutes left on the clock, without even using the additional half-hour. It is a rare sight to see 90 overs completed well ahead of schedule, but that’s largely been down to the heavy use of spin today.
- 127.64Vincent Masekesa to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Make that 20 runs off the over! Pitched fuller and on the leg stump line, Rachin Ravindra gets on his knee, and sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.
- 127.56Vincent Masekesa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! PUMMELED! A half volley on the stumps, Rachin Ravindra advances down the track and whacks it over long on for a six.
- 127.40Vincent Masekesa to Rachin Ravindra, Pushed through, full and on middle, Rachin Ravindra watchfully blocks it straight back.
- 127.30Vincent Masekesa to Rachin Ravindra, An appeal for caught behind, but not entertained by the umpire! Short on the leg stump line, spinning into the batter with some bounce. Rachin Ravindra dances down the track and looks to nudge it on the leg side, but misses. The ball lobs off the thigh pad, and Tsiga comes forward and gathers it cleanly.
- 127.26Vincent Masekesa to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! 150 FOR RACHIN RAVINDRA! Too short and slow, on the bodyline, Rachin Ravindra has enough time to go back and across before pulling it behind deep square leg for a huge six. Raises his bat calmly and looks at the heavens before getting a warm hug from Henry Nicholls! An inning filled with timing, elegance and absolute risk-free cricket from the young southpaw!