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| @Conway and Ravindra during the match vs Zimbabwe at Harare 2025 |
Match Overview
In a decisive third T20I of the Tri-Nation Series in Harare Sports Club, New Zealand played against Zimbabwe on 18 July 2025. After a formidable opening match in the series, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl, as lightning had struck earlier in the tournament, another formidable performance, albeit this time it ended in comfortable 8-wicket win with 37 balls remaining to spare Zimbabwe Innings: 120/7 off 20 Overs:
The Zimbabwe batting innings began in a tentative way. Their openers, Wessly Madhevere (36 off 32) and Brian Bennett (21 off 20), raised an early pace of 37 runs off 32, to give momentum
But the bowlers of the Black Caps squeezed as the innings wore on.
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- Matt Henry started the rout with a wicket-taking spell of 3 for 26 off four overs, getting rid of Bennett in the later part of the powerplay, and later Tony Munyonga and Tashinga Musekiwa
- Adam Milne bowled a good game, dismissing Madhevere, and Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra took one wicket each
The pitches were crisp and the bowlers had discipline. Henry was able to get three wickets when it mattered. Santner bowled economically with his spin, Ravindra bowled off-sides which could not be expected by middle order of Zimbabwe and Milne bowled with great impact. The bowlers stepped up the game after the last powerplay, and Zimbabwe managed only 120, which was a very good example of a balanced New Zealand side.
New Zealand Chase: 122/2 off 13.5 Overs
Early-Edge But No Panic
The New Zealand reaction started with an opening batting by Tim Seifert and Devon Conway. Conway just survived an early pressure when he was dropped one by Blessing Muzarabani
Soon after, Seifert was bowled out cheaply at three, by Muzarabani . Nevertheless, that did not stop the pursuit.
Conway & Ravindra: Breaking the Back
Rachin Ravindra, who had played in Major League Cricket, got into top gear- hitting three fours in the fifth over and making a quick 30 off 19 balls
Conway too got into the gaps easily after his early reprieve.
Ravindra was out in the ninth over, though not before he had joined Conway in a crucial 59-run partnership- the partnership swung the match back in New Zealand direction
Conway Dominates, Mitchell Assists :
Conway scored his half-century in 34 balls and the innings consisted of four fours and two sixes
His skills left Zimbabwe at the back foot. Ravindra left after which Daryl Mitchell joined Conway.
The chase was wrapped up by the two with a boundary by Conway in the 13.5 over with the team having gone 100/2 to 122/2 in less than two overs.
Star Performer & Key Stats:
Man of the match: Devon Conway
An Unbeaten 59 off 40 Balls proved to be the match winning innings, the man of the match award.
Matt Henry:
Henry made the key break as he scored 3/26 which clearly swung the momentum to New Zealand
Supportive Contributions:
- Ravindra: 30 from 19 in key partnership
- Santner, Milne, Bracewell, Ravindra: They all took one wicket to add to the haul of Henry
- Zimbabwe: 120/7 20 overs
- New Zealand: 122/2 in 13.5 overs (37-balls left)
- Conway's 50: off 34 balls
Strategic Outlook Series Impact:
This victory gives New Zealand a clean sweep of 2-0 in the Tri-Nation series-the team had earlier defeated South Africa by a 21-run margin and this time by dominating the chase .
Tactical strengths displayed:
- Strategically good bowling options and alert field placements.
- Young talent such as Conway and Ravindra came along and exploited roles.
- Fielding was not loose and this constrained the scoring options of Zimbabwe.
- Challenges for Zimbabwe:
- Reliance on the higher-orders; once Madhevere and Bennett were sent back, the innings fell.
- Bowling did not have early strikes; missed opportunities were expensive (especially the Conway spill).
- They are still to score their first points in this series; they are now behind both New Zealand and South Africa in the table
- The next Fixture: New Zealand will play against South Africa on Tuesday 22 July 2025 in an effort to keep up the momentum
- The recovery test in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe must rally to play South Africa on 20 July 2025 in the quest of a first win.
- Injuries to watch: New Zealand suffered another setback with the injury of Glenn Phillips to a groin injury, but replacements are doing well too
- Final Takeaway:
New Zeland stamped their authority in the T20I series with a slick all-round game. The penetrative bowling of Matt Henry and powerful batting of Devon Conway, with concrete support, is the indicator of the depth of the Black Caps squad. Their form is the best it has ever been and confidence is high so they are well set to secure a finals spot.
Zimbabwe has to tackle the issue of middle-over weakness, strengthen their bowling plan and improve on field before they meet South Africa. They are still on a search of the first victory, but the drumbeat of comeback is in the next match.
Brief Scores:
Zimbabwe Innings:120/7 (20 Overs)Wessly Madhewere 36 off 32 Balls (4 Fours), Brian Bennett 21 off 20 Balls (1 Four & 1 Six)
New Zealand Bowling: Matt Henry 3/26, Mitchell Santner 1/18 (4 Overs)
New Zealand Innings: 122/2 (13.5 Overs) Devon Conway 59* off 40 Balls (4 Fours & 2 Sixes), Rachin Ravindra 30 off 19 Balls (4 Fours & 1 Six)
Zimbabwe Bowling: Blessing Muzarabani 1/27 (4 Overs), Tinotenda Maposa 1/17 (2 Overs)
Player of the Match: Devon Conway
Result: New Zealand Won by 8 Wickets