Matt Henry stars as New Zealand romp to Test victory against Zimbabwe

By SABC Sport
2nd August 2025

Matt Henry starred with nine wickets in the game as New Zealand romped to a nine-wicket victory in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Fast bowler Henry returned figures of 6-39 in 15.3 overs in the first innings as the Black Caps dismissed the home team for just 149 with fellow seamer Nathan Smith taking 3-20.

The tourists then responded with a total of 307 all out as opener Devon Conway top-scored with 88 while Daryl Mitchell struck 80 in the middle-order.

Zimbabwe fought well with the ball and paceman Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3-73 in 26 overs while fellow seamer Tanaka Chivanga took 2-51 in 18 overs.

The home team were then poor with the bat again in the second innings as they could only post 165 all out to give them a lead of just seven runs.

Henry followed up his first day tally with 3-51 second time around while Will O'Rouke took 3-28 but it was spinner and stand-in captain Mitchell Santner that was the pick with 4-27 in 17.1 overs.

The second and final Test match of the series will again take place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo starting on 7 August.