Matt Henry Shines as New Zealand Take Control on Day 1 Against Zimbabwe

The opening day of the first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, played on July 30, 2025, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, was a masterclass in New Zealand’s cricketing prowess. Zimbabwe, having won the toss and elected to bat, struggled against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, collapsing to 149 all out in 60.3 overs. In response, New Zealand’s openers, Will Young and Devon Conway, took charge with an unbeaten 92/0 in 26 overs, finishing the day just 57 runs behind with all wickets intact.

Zimbabwe’s Collapses on the Day 1

Zimbabwe’s decision to bat first on a pitch with a hint of green and some seam movement proved to be a bold but ultimately punishing choice. Captain Craig Ervine, leading a side eager to make a statement in this Test series, hoped his batters could lay a strong foundation. However, New Zealand’s pace bowlers, led by the fiery Matt Henry, had other plans. Henry’s sensational 6/39 in 15.3 overs ripped through Zimbabwe’s lineup, exposing their fragility against quality seam bowling. Nathan Smith’s tidy 3/20 provided the perfect foil, ensuring Zimbabwe’s innings was a story of early collapses and fleeting resistance.

Matt Henry (3-21) and Nathan Smith (1-2) into their work, claiming 4 wickets as we go to lunch.

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 30, 2025

The hosts got off to a rocky start. Brian Bennett, a young batter with high expectations, faced a stern test from Henry’s probing line and after just 11 balls, Bennett edged a well-directed delivery to Will Young at slip, departing for 6 and leaving Zimbabwe at 10/1 in the third over. The early wicket sent a clear message as New Zealand’s bowlers meant business. Ben Curran, tasked with steadying the innings, showed promise with a stylish cover drive but couldn’t build on his start. He scored 13 off 20 balls before falling to Henry in the seventh over, edging another testing ball to Young, leaving Zimbabwe at 24/2.

Sean Williams, one of Zimbabwe’s most reliable batters, walked in with the weight of expectation on his shoulders. But Nathan Smith, bowling with unrelenting accuracy, had him in trouble from the start and Smith’s disciplined line sent Williams’ stumps tumbling for just 2 off 13 balls, reducing Zimbabwe to 31/3 by the drinks break in the 13th over. Smith’s spell of 3/20 in 14 overs, with eight maidens, was all about his ability to bowl tight lines and keep the pressure on, leaving Zimbabwe’s top order in tatters.

The Matt Henry (4-34) and Nathan Smith (3-20) show continues as three more wickets fall by tea.

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 30, 2025

Nick Welch and Craig Ervine offered a brief flicker of hope for the hosts. Welch played with caution, focusing on survival against a relentless New Zealand attack. His 27 off 68 balls, punctuated by four crisp boundaries, showed a solid technique against the moving ball. Ervine, at the other end, was equally resolute, playing with a straight bat and picking up runs through the off-side with well-timed drives. Their partnership took Zimbabwe to 67/4 by lunch, giving the hosts a chance to regroup. But the respite was short-lived. Welch’s stubborn knock ended soon after the break when he edged Henry to Michael Bracewell for 27, breaking the stand and leaving Zimbabwe at 67/4.

Sikandar Raza, known for his flair and aggression, was expected to shift the momentum with a bold counterattack. Instead, his stay was painfully brief, lasting just three balls. Henry struck again, drawing an edge to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for 2, leaving Zimbabwe reeling at 69/5. The quick dismissals of Welch and Raza in the space of two overs swung the momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favour, as the hosts’ middle order crumbled under the pressure.

Craig Ervine, now the last recognised batter, took on the mantle of guiding the innings. He batted with grit and determination, mixing solid defence with occasional attacking shots, and found a willing ally in wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga. Tsiga, playing his first Test in some time, showed remarkable composure, scoring 30 off 78 balls with five boundaries. Their sixth-wicket partnership of 54 runs was the highlight of Zimbabwe’s innings, helping them nudge past 100 in the 43rd over. Ervine’s 39 off 116 balls, including six fours, was a captain’s knock, while Tsiga’s dogged resistance frustrated New Zealand’s bowlers for a significant period.

A fifth Test 5-wicket haul from Matt Henry (6-39) wraps up Zimbabwe's first innings at Queen's Park.

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 30, 2025

The partnership, however, unravelled after tea. Ervine’s resolute innings ended when Nathan Smith trapped him lbw with a delivery that jagged back sharply, leaving Zimbabwe at 123/6. Tsiga followed soon after, also falling lbw to Smith for 30, as the hosts slipped to 136/7. The lower order offered little resistance. Newman Nyamhuri scratched out 9 off 20 balls before edging Henry to Will Young, while Vincent Masekesa’s 7 was cut short by a brilliant run-out involving Devon Conway and Tom Blundell. Blessing Muzarabani managed just 1 before falling to Henry, caught by Mitchell Santner, and Tanaka Chivanga was left not out on 0 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 149 in 60.3 overs.

Matt Henry’s six-wicket haul was the defining performance of the innings, with his pace, swing, and pinpoint accuracy proving too much for Zimbabwe’s batters. Nathan Smith’s three scalps, including the crucial wickets of Williams, Ervine, and Tsiga, complemented Henry’s heroics. Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner bowled tightly without reward, adding to the pressure. Zimbabwe’s total included 13 extras (4 byes, 2 leg byes, 7 wides), but their run rate of 2.46 reflected a cautious approach that couldn’t withstand New Zealand’s relentless attack.

New Zealand Gets the Upper Hand on Day 1

With a modest target to chase down, New Zealand’s openers, Will Young and Devon Conway, walked out with confidence and purpose. Facing a Zimbabwean bowling attack featuring pacers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, alongside spinners Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams, the pair looked untroubled from the outset. Their unbeaten 92-run stand over 26 overs set a rock-solid foundation, leaving New Zealand just 57 runs shy of Zimbabwe’s total at stumps, with all wickets in hand.

Drinks 🥤

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 – Session 3: 12 overs gone, New Zealand are 45/0

(Devon Conway 24*, Will Young 21*), trail Zimbabwe by 104 runs#ZIMvNZ #ExperienceZimbabwe 📝: https://t.co/uQTC7k1vlN pic.twitter.com/PTVxfO4QKU

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 30, 2025

Devon Conway was the spark, finishing unbeaten on 51 off 87 balls, with eight elegant fours. His innings was all about rock-solid defence and graceful strokeplay, particularly through the cover and point regions. Conway reached his fifty in 83 balls, a milestone that underlined his control and intent to dominate. Will Young played the perfect foil, scoring an unbeaten 41 off 69 balls with four boundaries. Young’s approach was calm and measured, focusing on rotating the strike and punishing loose balls with crisp drives.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to find their rhythm. Blessing Muzarabani, their lead pacer, bowled a disciplined spell of 8 overs for 25 runs, including three maidens, but couldn’t find the edge. Tanaka Chivanga, however, was wayward, conceding 23 runs in 4 overs as Conway and Young pounced on his inconsistent lengths. Newman Nyamhuri bowled tidily, giving away 18 runs in 6 overs, but like Muzarabani, he couldn’t break through. Sikandar Raza’s spin was introduced to stem the flow, but his 5 overs for 13 runs yielded no wickets. Sean Williams and Vincent Masekesa bowled brief spells (2 overs for 11 runs and 1 over for 2 runs, respectively), but their efforts were equally fruitless.

Devon Conway (51*) and Will Young (41*) bat through to the end of Day 1.
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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 30, 2025

The absence of wickets left Zimbabwe deflated, as Conway and Young’s partnership grew stronger by the over. Their 50-run stand came up in just 13.4 overs, with Conway’s fluent drives and Young’s deft touch setting the tone. By stumps, New Zealand’s run rate of 3.53 was a stark contrast to Zimbabwe’s cautious 2.46, reflecting the visitors’ positive intent. With no breakthroughs and no late movement under the lights, Zimbabwe’s bowlers were left searching for answers. With batters like Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell waiting in the wings, New Zealand are poised to build a commanding lead on day two.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

As the sun dipped below the horizon on July 30, 2025, in Bulawayo, New Zealand’s openers delivered the TCNI Magic Moment of the Game. Will Young and Devon Conway crafted an unbeaten 92/0 in 26 overs, trailing Zimbabwe’s 149 by just 57 runs. Conway led the way with a fluent 51 not out off 87 balls, stroking eight boundaries at a strike rate of 58.62. Young played the anchor, unbeaten on 41 off 69 balls with four fours, striking at 59.42.

Their partnership was a display of skill and composure, dismantling Zimbabwe’s bowling attack with ease. Blessing Muzarabani bowled tightly, conceding 25 runs in 8 overs, but found no reward. Tanaka Chivanga leaked 23 runs in 4 overs, while Sikandar Raza and Newman Nyamhuri couldn’t break through. With no extras and a run rate of 3.53, this dominant stand left Zimbabwe reeling and marked the defining moment of the day.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Matt Henry was the TCNI Hero of the Day on July 30, 2025, in Bulawayo, with a breathtaking bowling performance. His 6/39 in 15.3 overs dismantled Zimbabwe’s batting, bowling them out for 149 in 60.3 overs. Henry struck early, removing Brian Bennett (6) and Ben Curran (13) to leave Zimbabwe at 24/2.

Matt Henry 6-39 v Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) July 30, 2025

His relentless accuracy accounted for Nick Welch (27) and Sikandar Raza (2), reducing the hosts to 69/5 and he later dismissed Newman Nyamhuri (9) and Blessing Muzarabani (1), finishing with an economy of 2.51 and three maidens. Henry’s swing and precision, with catches to Will Young, Tom Blundell, and Mitchell Santner, were pivotal. Backed by Nathan Smith’s 3/20, Henry’s six-wicket haul ensured New Zealand’s dominance, making him the standout performer of the day.