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Bulawayo: Zimbabwe‘s lower-order batsmen Donald Tiripano and Prince Masvaure take their team to 164 against New Zealand on Day 1 in first Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe initially were left struggling in front of a varied New Zealand bowling attack as big names in the line-up failed to perform but Tiripano and Masvaure took the side to respectable total against a batting heavy New Zealand team, keeping the hopes of the hosts alive in this Test.
New Zealand displayed brilliant bowling and were quite active on field and the target looks easily achievable for them.
Winning the toss, Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer elected to bat first. Brian Chari opened the innings with Chamu Chibhabha while Tim Southee opened the bowling.
Chari, who has been out of international cricket for a long time now, got out off the second ball, hitting the first ball for boundary. Chibhabha, who made his Test debut with the match, built up a brief partnership with Zimbabwe heavyweight Hamilton Masakadza.
However, the partnership did not last long and both departed for the same individual scores of 15 in quick succession. Zimbabwe lost yet another wicket quickly in Sean Williams.
Another brief partnership was formed as Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza looked to spent some time at the crease. But before it could grow to a big one, Kane Williamson’s change in bowling earned New Zealand back to back wickets.
Both Ervine and Sikandar departed within a short span followed by wicketkeeper-batsman Regis Chakabva and skipper Cremer. Wagner bagged three wickets in a single over.
The most crucial partnership for Zimbabwe was that between Tiripano and Masvaure. Masvaure, who opens in First-Class, was sent down by the skipper and he, along with Tiripano, took the team’s score past 100.
Tiripano played some praiseworthy technical shots while Masvaure played the perfect partner at the other end. The partnership added 85 runs, taking Zimbabwe past the lowest first innings score of 155 at Bulawayo while Tiripano became the highest individual run-scorer at No. 10 for Zimbabwe remaining unbeaten at 49.
New Zealand bowled exceptionally well, the most effective being Neil Wagner, who took 6 for 41. Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner both bagged a couple of wickets each while Ish Sodhi and Trent Boult remained wicketless.
Brief scores
Zimbabwe - 164 (Tiripano 49, Wagner 6-41)
New Zealand - 32 for 0 (Latham 16*, Guptill 14*)
Status - New Zealand trail by 132 runs
