New Zealand made light work of Zimbabwe to take a 1–0 lead in their two-Test series, sealing a nine-wicket win inside three days at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on 26 July.
Stand-in captain Mitchell Santner claimed 4 for 27 as Zimbabwe, resuming on 31 for 2, were dismissed for 165 in their second innings. That left New Zealand needing just eight runs to win, a target they chased down in 14 balls, although opener Devon Conway was bowled for four in the first over by Newman Nyamburi. Henry Nicholls struck the winning run in the third over after tea.
Zimbabwe had begun the day hoping to overturn a 158-run first innings deficit, but their collapse continued despite New Zealand being a bowler short. Nathan Smith had picked up an abdominal strain on the second day, and Will O’Rourke did not bowl after lunch due to back stiffness.
Only three runs were added to Zimbabwe’s overnight score before Nick Welch was caught behind off O’Rourke. By lunch, they had slumped to 114 for 6, still trailing by 44. Their hopes faded further when top scorer Sean Williams fell for 49 and skipper Craig Ervine edged Matt Henry behind for 22.
Henry, who had taken 6 for 39 in the first innings, picked up 3 for 51 in the second to complete a nine-wicket match haul. He also removed Sikandar Raza after the break, ending Zimbabwe’s last real resistance. Santner then cleaned up the tail, bowling 17.1 overs for his four wickets. O’Rourke contributed with 3 for 28 before being sidelined.
Zimbabwe had won the toss and opted to bat on 24 July, posting just 149 in their first innings. New Zealand responded with 307 for 9, building a significant lead that Zimbabwe never recovered from.
The second and final Test will also take place in Bulawayo, starting on 1 August.