New Zealand Dominate Day 1 After Bowling Out Zimbabwe for 125

On August 7, 2025, the opening day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo saw New Zealand take firm control against Zimbabwe. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Zimbabwe faltered against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, collapsing to 125 all out. New Zealand’s openers then dominated, reaching 174 for 1 by stumps, leading by 49 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Zimbabwe’s First Innings: A Collapse Under Pressure

Zimbabwe’s choice to bat first was a bold move, aiming to leverage home conditions and set a competitive total. However, their innings unravelled early under pressure from New Zealand’s pace bowlers. Opener Brian Bennett faced immediate challenges from Matt Henry’s sharp bowling. Lasting just nine balls, Bennett edged a rising delivery to Will Young at slip for a duck in the third over, leaving Zimbabwe at 5 for 1. This early setback put the hosts on the defensive, with Nick Welch and the returning Brendan Taylor tasked with steadying the innings.

"Three years ago, I couldn't get out of bed and now I am doing what I love, and that's representing Zimbabwe"

Brendan Taylor returns to international cricket with a solid knock 🏏#ZIMvNZ LIVE: https://t.co/PwomScGbZg pic.twitter.com/G8olOzLfYE

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 7, 2025

Welch showed some defiance, striking two boundaries through the off-side with crisp cover drives. His 31-ball effort yielded 11 runs, but Henry struck again in the 14th over, trapping him lbw with a ball that seamed back sharply. At 30 for 2, Zimbabwe were in trouble. Sean Williams, known for his attacking flair, strode in with purpose. He dispatched a boundary off Jacob Duffy’s fuller delivery, but his brisk 11 off 13 balls ended when debutant Zakary Foulkes induced an edge, caught by Young at slip. Captain Craig Ervine, expected to provide stability, struggled against Foulkes’ subtle movement. Scoring 7 off 28 balls, he fell to Young’s third catch of the session, leaving Zimbabwe at 67 for 4 after 28.1 overs at lunch.

After the break, Brendan Taylor resumed with grit, anchoring the innings with a patient 44 off 107 balls, including six boundaries. His measured approach, picking gaps with soft hands and deft placements, offered hope. Taylor survived a testing spell from Henry and Foulkes, but his dismissal proved a turning point. Attempting to drive a full delivery from Henry, he edged to Mitchell Santner at gully, triggering a collapse. Sikandar Raza, a pivotal figure in Zimbabwe’s lineup, disappointed with a rash 5 off 14 balls, caught by Rachin Ravindra off Foulkes after a loose drive. The middle order folded quickly. Trevor Gwandu lasted two balls, trapped lbw by Foulkes for a duck. Vincent Masekesa scratched out a single run before Henry bowled him with a swinging yorker, reducing Zimbabwe to 94 for 8.

Wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga stood firm, remaining unbeaten on 33 off 54 balls. His compact technique and ability to find gaps with four boundaries kept Zimbabwe’s innings alive briefly. However, the tail offered little support. Blessing Muzarabani managed 3 off 5 balls before Henry bowled him with another pinpoint yorker. Tanaka Chivanga battled for 22 balls, scoring 4, but fell to Matthew Fisher, caught by Santner at second slip. Zimbabwe were bowled out for 125 in 48.5 overs, their innings lasting 220 minutes. The total featured 17 boundaries and no sixes, reflecting their struggle against a relentless attack.

🔄 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞

New Zealand bowled out Zimbabwe for 125 on Day 1 of the second Test.#ExperienceZimbabwe #ZIMvNZ 📝: https://t.co/WB42tMT5OL pic.twitter.com/lX8WcowmIx

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 7, 2025

Matt Henry was the wrecker-in-chief, claiming 5 for 40 in 15 overs, with three maidens. His pace, swing, and accuracy dismantled the top order and tail. Zakary Foulkes, on his Test debut, impressed with 4 for 38 in 16 overs, including five maidens, using bounce and seam to devastating effect. Matthew Fisher contributed 1 for 16 in 6.5 overs, while Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner bowled economically, conceding 13 and 10 runs respectively, but went wicketless. Zimbabwe’s batting frailties were exposed, leaving their bowlers with a daunting task.

New Zealand’s First Innings: Conway and Young Dominate

With Zimbabwe’s innings ending before tea, New Zealand’s openers, Devon Conway and Will Young, took to the crease with confidence. They quickly seized control, punishing loose deliveries from a demoralised Zimbabwe attack. The pair forged a commanding 162-run partnership for the first wicket, setting a solid foundation. By the first drinks break after 12 overs, New Zealand were 76 for no loss, with Young leading the charge through aggressive strokeplay, particularly through the off-side.

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭 – Session 3: New Zealand are 128/0 after 27 overs

(Will Young 65*, Devon Conway 52*), lead by 3 runs#ExperienceZimbabwe #ZIMvNZ 📝: https://t.co/WB42tMT5OL pic.twitter.com/7XiJSLwriT

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 7, 2025

Young was in sublime form, racing to his fifty off 49 balls with nine boundaries. His crisp drives and cuts exploited any width, putting Zimbabwe’s bowlers under constant pressure. Conway, playing the anchor role, reached his fifty off 81 balls with six boundaries, displaying composure and precision. The duo brought up New Zealand’s 100 in 18.3 overs, asserting their dominance. By the second drinks break, they were 115 for no loss, with both batters looking set for big scores.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to find rhythm. Blessing Muzarabani, their lead seamer, bowled 13 overs but conceded 54 runs without a wicket, beaten by Young’s fluency and Conway’s timing. Tanaka Chivanga was expensive, leaking 42 runs in 7 overs, including three no-balls that compounded Zimbabwe’s woes. Trevor Gwandu finally broke through in the 35th over, dismissing Young for 74 off 101 balls, with 11 boundaries, caught off a mistimed lofted cover drive. The wicket, however, came too late to shift momentum, as New Zealand were firmly in control.

Jacob Duffy, promoted to number three, joined Conway and batted with assurance. The pair navigated a probing spell from Sean Williams, who bowled tidily for 23 runs off 8 overs, to see out the day. At stumps, New Zealand were 174 for 1 after 39 overs, with Conway unbeaten on 79 (120 balls, 9 fours) and Duffy on 8 (16 balls, 2 fours). Their run rate of 4.46 reflected their ease, and they held a 49-run lead. Vincent Masekesa bowled economically, conceding 14 runs in 5 overs, but lacked penetration. Gwandu’s 1 for 31 was Zimbabwe’s sole success, underscoring their inability to challenge New Zealand’s batters.

Conway’s unbeaten knock was a masterclass, blending caution with well-timed aggression. Young’s fluent innings set the tone, while Duffy’s brief cameo showed promise. New Zealand’s batting depth, despite missing Tom Latham and with injuries to Will O’Rourke and Nathan Smith, was evident. With Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell yet to bat, New Zealand are poised to build a massive lead. Zimbabwe face a steep challenge to take early wickets on day two to stay competitive.

New Zealand end Day 1 of the second Test against Zimbabwe on a high

Match Summary 👉 https://t.co/WB42tMT5OL#ExperienceZimbabwe #ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/2RzStO6Lab

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 7, 2025

Day one was dominated by New Zealand, who outplayed Zimbabwe with disciplined bowling and authoritative batting. Matt Henry’s five wickets and Zakary Foulkes’ four on debut exposed Zimbabwe’s batting weaknesses, restricting them to 125. Devon Conway and Will Young’s 162-run opening stand put New Zealand in command at 174 for 1, leading by 49 runs. Brendan Taylor’s gritty 44 and Tafadzwa Tsiga’s unbeaten 33 were Zimbabwe’s only highlights. With nine wickets in hand and a deep batting lineup, New Zealand are set to extend their advantage. Zimbabwe need early breakthroughs on day two to avoid being overwhelmed.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Zakary Foulkes delivered the day’s defining moment with a stellar bowling performance in Zimbabwe’s first innings. The debutant’s 16-over spell produced 4 for 38 at an economy of 2.37, with five maidens. Foulkes struck early, dismissing Sean Williams for 11, caught by Will Young, breaking a budding partnership.

Zakary Foulkes gets his first Test wicket for New Zealand #ZIMvNZ

Follow live on the ESPNcricinfo app ⤵️ https://t.co/PwomScGbZg pic.twitter.com/lE8hdkH8cv

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 7, 2025

His pivotal moment came when he removed Sikandar Raza for 5, caught by Rachin Ravindra, followed by Trevor Gwandu, trapped lbw for a duck, reducing Zimbabwe to 83 for 7 and earlier, he accounted for Craig Ervine, caught by Young for 7, leaving Zimbabwe at 67 for 4. Foulkes’ precision, exploiting bounce and seam, was crucial in limiting Zimbabwe to 125, alongside Matt Henry’s five wickets, setting the stage for New Zealand’s dominance.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Devon Conway emerged as the day’s standout performer with an unbeaten 79 off 120 balls in New Zealand’s first innings. His composed knock, featuring nine boundaries at a strike rate of 65.83, anchored New Zealand to 174 for 1 after 39 overs, with a run rate of 4.46 and Partnering with Will Young, who scored a brisk 74 off 101 balls, Conway built a 162-run opening stand, broken in the 35th over.

A 162-run opening stand between Devon Conway (79*) and Will Young (74) to give us a 49-run lead by stumps.

Conway & Jacob Duffy (8*) will resume at the crease tomorrow. Scorecard | https://t.co/DnWSGE9t8b #ZIMvNZ #CricketNation 📷 = Zimbabwe Cricket pic.twitter.com/BTdrQ9rtdM

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 7, 2025

His elegant strokeplay and calm presence frustrated Zimbabwe’s bowlers, notably Blessing Muzarabani, who went wicketless. Tanaka Chivanga’s three no-balls contributed to 13 extras, including 10 leg byes and With Jacob Duffy unbeaten on 8 and heavyweights like Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell to follow, Conway’s foundation promises further dominance.