Zimbabwe Show Fight But Still Heading For Heavy Defeat
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
After being bowled out and then failing to take a New Zealand wicket on Wednesday, Zimbabwe gave the home supporters something to cheer on Thursday as they produced a strong bowling performance of their own.
The Chevrons managed to dismiss the Black Caps for 307, something which did not look to be on the cards when openers Will Young and Devon Conway began the day at the crease with the tourists 92 without loss!
However, Zimbabwe lost two more wickets of their own before stumps and still trail by 127 runs ahead of day three in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe Bowlers Produce The Goods
Some pundits were even predicting another Wiaan Mulder style world record attempt for New Zealand's batters ahead of this Test and this looked to be potentially on the cards ahead of day two when Will Young resumed on 41 and Devon Conway on 51.
But the home bowlers had other ideas and their six-man attack not only all contributed at least one wicket but also bowled economically.
Zimbabwe Bowling Figures
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
| Blessing Muzarabani | 26 | 5 | 73 | 3 | 2.80 |
| Tanaka Chivanga | 18 | 3 | 51 | 2 | 2.83 |
| Sikandar Raza | 20 | 2 | 63 | 1 | 3.15 |
| Newman Nyamhuri | 16.1 | 2 | 64 | 1 | 3.95 |
| Sean Williams | 7 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 3.28 |
| Vincent Masekesa | 9 | 1 | 29 | 1 | 3.22 |
How about the New Zealanders
It was a disappointing day with the bat for the Black Caps with Devon Conway top-scoring on 88 and only Daryl Mitchell (80) also making a half-century.
Will Young was dismissed from the first ball of the day and that set the tone for the home side's fightback with only Mitchell able to dominate the bowlers.
Despite the disappointment with the bat, there was a wicket each for Will O'Rourke and Matt Henry with the ball to take Henry's tally in the match to seven and New Zealand could still earn a victory by a margin of an innings.
Betting Recommendations
Zimbabwe need to make at least 158 runs in total in this innings to get the Black Caps to bat again and there are plenty of cricket betting options out there in this Test.
- Zimbabwe to score under 183.5 runs in this innings - 1.91
- Zimbabwe second innings top batter - Sean Williams - 3.40
- Next dismissal - bowled - 4.75
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