Sports / Cricket
Zimbabwe earn first innings lead of 56 runs against NZ XI
22 Jan 2012 at 03:58hrs | Views
A three-wicket burst by Neil Wagner enlivened proceedings during the second day of the tour match between Zimbabwe and a New Zealand XI at Gisborne today.
The Otago left-arm fast bowler snapped up three wickets in the space of 13 deliveries after lunch before the tourists went on to reach 328 for nine in their first innings at Harry Barker Reserve.
With one day remaining Zimbabwe hold a first innings lead of 56 runs.
Wagner's input was timely after Zimbabwe were progressing nicely at 174 for three in response to the composite team's 272 for seven declared.
Having resumed on 39 without loss this morning, Zimbabwe lost three wickets before lunch as Chris Martin induced an edge behind off Tino Mawoyo on 25, fellow opener Hamilton Masakadza hooked left-armer Andy McKay to Wagner in the deep on 24 and Forster Mutizwa came and went quickly for a duck.
But Wagner later struck just as it seemed as if Tatenda Taibu and Malcolm Waller could see their side past the home side's opening effort.
They had put on 119 for the fourth wicket and looked at ease when Wagner had Taibu caught by Kane Williamson for 66, scored in 147 minutes with 11 fours.
Waller soon joined his colleague back in the pavilion for a 143-minute 58 with eight fours when Wagner collected an edge through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling then Elton Chigumbura was dismissed for a first ball duck.
Wagner, a South African who becomes eligible to be selected for New Zealand in April, ended with the figures of three for 86 off 19 overs.
Any prospects of the New Zealanders slicing through the lower order were frustrated by Regis Chakabva, who held the innings together by registering the tourists' third half-century with a fine 87 not out.
Chakabva, who has so far struck 12 fours and two sixes, enjoyed an unbroken 10-wicket stand of 72 with tailender Ray Price, who contributed 19 not out.
Besides Wagner, veteran fast bowler Chris Martin commanded respect as he finished with two for 39 off 18 accurate overs while seamer Brent Arnel was difficult to get away in conceding just 25 runs off 17 overs.
The three-day fixture, which is not a first-class match, is Zimbabwe's only outing before a one-off test against New Zealand, starting at McLean Park in Napier on Thursday, with one-day and Twenty20 series to follow.
The Otago left-arm fast bowler snapped up three wickets in the space of 13 deliveries after lunch before the tourists went on to reach 328 for nine in their first innings at Harry Barker Reserve.
With one day remaining Zimbabwe hold a first innings lead of 56 runs.
Wagner's input was timely after Zimbabwe were progressing nicely at 174 for three in response to the composite team's 272 for seven declared.
Having resumed on 39 without loss this morning, Zimbabwe lost three wickets before lunch as Chris Martin induced an edge behind off Tino Mawoyo on 25, fellow opener Hamilton Masakadza hooked left-armer Andy McKay to Wagner in the deep on 24 and Forster Mutizwa came and went quickly for a duck.
But Wagner later struck just as it seemed as if Tatenda Taibu and Malcolm Waller could see their side past the home side's opening effort.
Waller soon joined his colleague back in the pavilion for a 143-minute 58 with eight fours when Wagner collected an edge through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling then Elton Chigumbura was dismissed for a first ball duck.
Wagner, a South African who becomes eligible to be selected for New Zealand in April, ended with the figures of three for 86 off 19 overs.
Any prospects of the New Zealanders slicing through the lower order were frustrated by Regis Chakabva, who held the innings together by registering the tourists' third half-century with a fine 87 not out.
Chakabva, who has so far struck 12 fours and two sixes, enjoyed an unbroken 10-wicket stand of 72 with tailender Ray Price, who contributed 19 not out.
Besides Wagner, veteran fast bowler Chris Martin commanded respect as he finished with two for 39 off 18 accurate overs while seamer Brent Arnel was difficult to get away in conceding just 25 runs off 17 overs.
The three-day fixture, which is not a first-class match, is Zimbabwe's only outing before a one-off test against New Zealand, starting at McLean Park in Napier on Thursday, with one-day and Twenty20 series to follow.
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