Bulawayo, Day 2 – New Zealand’s batting juggernaut rolled over a weary Zimbabwe attack on the second day of the second Test, as centuries from Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra propelled the visitors to a record-breaking total and a commanding position. By stumps, New Zealand were 601 for 3, a colossal 476 runs ahead after Zimbabwe’s modest first-innings 125, with three full days still to play.
On a docile surface offering little for the bowlers, New Zealand batted with the patience of marathoners and the ruthlessness of sprinters. Conway, returning to form with his fifth Test hundred and first since January 2023, made a fluent 153. Nicholls, recalled to the side after missing the entirety of 2024, responded with a measured yet punishing 150*. Ravindra, the youngest of the trio, was the most belligerent – smashing his third Test century off just 104 balls and finishing unbeaten on 165.
Their efforts combined to give New Zealand their highest total against Zimbabwe in Test cricket, surpassing the mark set in 2005, and only the third instance in Test history where three batters from the same team have passed 150 in a single innings.
Morning Session: Conway Steers Steadily to Milestone
Resuming on 174 for 1 with a slender lead of 49, New Zealand showed no signs of haste – or mercy. The first ball of the day, short and wide, was cut away by Conway, setting the tone. Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy hung around for nearly an hour, frustrating Zimbabwe’s search for early breakthroughs, before falling to Vincent Masekesa for 31.
Conway reached his century from 143 balls, his innings a masterclass in precision shot selection. Nicholls joined him and took his time settling in – just nine runs from his first 25 deliveries – before cashing in against Zimbabwe’s spin-heavy attack.
Afternoon Session: The Partnership That Broke Zimbabwe’s Back
By lunch, New Zealand were 306 for 2, already 181 runs ahead. Conway brought up his 150 just before Zimbabwe took the second new ball. Blessing Muzarabani briefly injected life into the contest, finding bounce and removing Conway in unusual fashion – the left-hander shouldering arms only for the ball to ricochet off his body onto the stumps.
That was the last joy Zimbabwe had for some time. Ravindra arrived with watchful intent before launching an assault on Muzarabani, striking boundaries through extra cover, gully, and the leg side. His partnership with Nicholls ground Zimbabwe further into the dust, the pair milking the spinners with ease.
Evening Session: History Beckons
Nicholls completed his 10th Test hundred by working Gwandu past mid-on for three. Ravindra followed with a flurry of strokes, racing from 75 to 100 in a matter of overs. Once both batters had secured their milestones, they opened up, adding 88 runs in the day’s final 11 overs.
By stumps, Zimbabwe’s bowlers – seven used in total – had been sapped of energy. Muzarabani, Gwandu, and Masekesa each conceded over a hundred runs, underlining the toll of 130 overs in the field, 91 of them bowled in this single day.
Looking Ahead
With New Zealand’s middle and lower order yet to be tested, captain Tim Southee has the luxury of deciding just how much more punishment to inflict before unleashing his bowlers again. For Zimbabwe, the challenge now is less about salvaging the match and more about salvaging pride on a pitch that, while flat, has become a graveyard for their hopes.
If Nicholls and Ravindra continue into day three, the scorecard – and Zimbabwe’s winless streak – could become even more lopsided.
