Matt Henry's 6-Fer, Unbeaten Opening Partnership Powers New Zealand Past Zimbabwe in Bulawayo

@Matt Henry after dismissing Ben Curran vs Zimbabwe at Bulawayo 2025

Overview & Context: 

• The first Test of New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe commenced on 30 July 2025, between 30 July and 3 August, at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo

• New Zealand Mitchell Santner was the team captain, replacing the injured Tom Latham, as the 32nd Test captain of the Black Caps

• The captain of Zimbabwe Craig Ervine won the toss and decided to bat first as he wanted to set a competitive score in their home ground

The Innings of Zimbabwe: Collapse to 149

• Zimbabwe were bowled out cheaply, only 149 runs, one of their lowest totals this season and exposed to less than two and a half sessions

• Matt Henry was exceptional with the ball, ending up with figures of 6 wickets 39 runs, picking up early top-order wickets of both openers and Nick Welch right before lunch and having the hosts reeling at 67/4

• Nathan Smith came in with 3/20, taking the wickets of Sean Williams, the captain Ervine (lbw, though replays indicated that leg stump would have been missed) and Tafadzwa Tsiga who was also bowled out lbw.

• Their sixth-wicket partnership of 54 runs was the best of the innings, but Henry and Santner quickly mopped up the tail as Zimbabwe were dismissed in the 25th over.

• DRS was not being used; Zimbabwe also missed early chances off Ervine and Tsiga, which worsened their misery. The only two people who could reach 30+ were Ervine (39) and Tsiga (30)

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New Zealand Batting: A Solid Response:

• New Zealand responded well in its turn.Devon Conway and Will Young have raced to 92 without loss off 26 overs and have closed the day in the best possible position with only a 57 runs deficit they have to chase

• Conway got to his 12th Test half-century, finishing 51*, with Young unbeaten on 41*

• The pitch did not pose much difficulty to the batsmen and with Zimbabwe already having a high dependency on the spin bowlers, Conway and Young appeared to be in complete control and this gave them a platform to build on day 2.

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📊 Key Performer & Stats

Player                 Team                    Contribution 

Matt Henry            NZ                       6 wickets for 39 - toppled top order

Nathan Smith       NZ                        3 wickets for 20 -  crucial support

Devon Conway    NZ                         51* - solid half-century

Will Young           NZ                         41* - composed opening partner

• Zimbabwe scored more than 30 only twice with their rate of control being at a  dismal 68.8 percent of the balls.They also nibbled 22 deliveries, which hints  to frustrating pressure of New Zealand

Tactical Highlights & Turning points

• New Zealand pace bowling, and particularly Henry, was accurate and varied, using bounce and angle to good effect. Henry used the short-ball strategy in conjunction with full deliveries

• Santner was a cool headed leader, his changes as a captain were also needed at the appropriate times (e.g. introducing spinners, utilizing Michael Bracewell). He also made a sharp diving take to dispose of the tail

• The opportunities that Zimbabwe dropped early in the innings proved to be costly as Ervine and Tsiga were dropped when it might have changed the momentum early had they been caught

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Outlook &  Momentum Heading intoDay 2:

• Prospects They are 57 runs behind New Zealand 92/0; therefore, they have a major advantage going into Day 2. An early control of the match will be established by a good first-innings score.

• Zimbabwe has to re-organize. Their top order have no patience and application and their mistakes in the field and poor discipline on pressure should be corrected.

• New Zealand is expect to capitalize on the start of the partnership and also Zimbabwe spinners will be put to the test early in Day 2 as they seek to use their errors.

Conclusion:

Day one was a statement of intent by New Zealand. The six-for of Matt Henry and the opening partnership of Conway-Young and the weak batting and dropped chances of Zimbabwe were two poles apart. The impact is that the visitors go into Day 2 with all the upper hand and the series opener well within their grasp. Zimbabwe will need to make a powerful comeback, both in terms of technique and psychology, in case they are to turn the tide of this Test.

Brief scores: Zimbabwe 149/10 (Craig Ervine 39, Tafadzwa Tsiga 30; Matt Henry 6-39, Nathan Smith 3-20) lead New Zealand 92/0 (Devon Conway 51*, Will Young 41*) by 57 runs