New Zealand took firm control on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, with Matt Henry’s fiery six-wicket haul followed by a solid, unbeaten opening partnership between Devon Conway and Will Young.
After being asked to bowl first, Henry made an immediate impact, removing opener Brian Bennett in just the third over. Three overs later, Ben Curran was sent packing, giving New Zealand early momentum.
Henry continued to trouble the Zimbabwe batters, picking up the wicket of Nick Welch for a patient 27 in the 27th over. His most crucial strike came when he dismissed veteran all-rounder Sikandar Raza for just 2, inducing a mistimed pull shot. Newman Nyamhuri became his fifth victim, while Blessing Muzarabani rounded off the collapse. Henry ended with outstanding figures of 6/39 in 15.3 overs — his fifth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
He was well supported by Nathan Smith, who kept things tight with eight maidens in his 14 overs and chipped in with three wickets of his own.
Henry’s performance was the second-best by a New Zealand bowler in Tests against Zimbabwe, behind Chris Martin’s 6/26 in 2012. The hosts were bowled out for just 149 before tea.
In reply, New Zealand’s openers made light work of the tricky pitch, which offered some help to the seamers. Young (41* off 69) and Conway (51* off 87) guided their side to 92/0 at stumps, trailing Zimbabwe by just 57 runs with all 10 wickets in hand. Conway struck eight boundaries, while Young found the fence four times.
With a strong platform laid, the visitors will look to build a commanding lead on Day 2.
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