HARARE: New Zealand seized control of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Wednesday as Matt Henry’s six-wicket haul bundled out the hosts for just 149, before openers Devon Conway and Will Young guided the tourists to 92 without loss by stumps at Queens Sports Club.
Matt Henry, 33, was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with career-best figures of 6-39 in 15.3 overs. He ripped through Zimbabwe’s top order early, reducing them to 67-4 by lunch, and later returned to polish off the tail. Spinner Nathan Smith supported well, taking 3-20.
Captain Craig Ervine (39) and wicketkeeper-batsman Tafadzwa Tsiga (30) shared the only notable stand of the innings, adding 54 runs for the sixth wicket before both fell lbw to Smith.
New Zealand, missing regular skipper Tom Latham due to injury and Kane Williamson who opted out of the series, handed leadership duties to Mitchell Santner for his first Test as captain. The visitors made a confident start in reply, with Conway unbeaten on 51 and Young on 41 at close, trailing Zimbabwe by just 57 runs with all ten wickets in hand.
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The match comes just days after New Zealand edged South Africa in a thrilling final of the T20I Tri-Series at Harare Sports Club, where Henry once again starred by defending seven runs in the final over. Brilliant catches by Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell helped seal a three-run victory, with Henry taking 2-19 in a nerveless spell.
The in-form seamer credited the team’s resilience and fighting spirit. “To get over the line in a tight game and then start the Test series strong—it’s been a great effort from the group,” he said.
Zimbabwe, still reeling from recent home losses to South Africa, struggled to build momentum. Their challenge now lies in containing a confident New Zealand batting line-up and avoiding another heavy defeat.
