New Zealand romp Zimbabwe by 254 runs to seal series 2-0

Zimbabwe eventually lose the Test series, 2-0 to New Zealand, who now head to South Africa where a bigger challenge awaits them.

Legspinner Ish Sodhi finished with seven wickets in the match as New Zealand wrapped up a 254-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0. Although Zimbabwe showed some fight early on day five when nightwatchman Donald Tiripano and first-innings centurion Craig Ervine stood firm for the better part of 90 minutes, once they had fallen to some contentious umpiring decisions the hosts folded quickly. Sodhi claimed three of the last four wickets to go down as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 132 in their second innings, to finish with match figures of 7 for 79. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Zimbabwe vs New Zealand 2016, 2nd Test at Bulawayo

Part-time spinner Martin Guptill also claimed three wickets in the second innings, taking 3 for 11 in seven overs. New Zealand will now move on to South Africa, where they will face the Proteas in two Tests starting on August 19.

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New Zealand’s seamers struck three vital blows on the fourth evening to keep the tourists on track for victory in the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Tuesday. After Neil Wagner had removed Chamu Chibhabha 40 minutes before the close of play, Trent Boult and Tim Southee struck twice in the final three balls of the day to send Zimbabwe to stumps on 58 for three in pursuit of an improbable 387 for victory. After bowling Zimbabwe out for 362 in their first innings to a earn a 220-run lead, New Zealand opted against enforcing the follow-on and instead spent the afternoon building a formidable target.

With Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor putting on an unbroken stand of 140 in the space of 30 overs, Williamson was able to declare on 166 for two and allow his bowlers 26 overs at the Zimbabwean batsmen during the evening session. Although openers Chibhabha and Tino Mawoyo made a promising start in reaching 45 without loss, three wickets left Zimbabwe facing a long final day to avoid defeat.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 582 for 4 dec.(Tom Latham 136, Ross Taylor 124; Sean Williams 1 for 62) & 166 for 2 dec.(Kane Williamson 68, Ross Taylor 67; Donald Tiripano 1 for 14) beat Zimbabwe 362 (Craig Ervine 146, Peter Moor 71; Ish Sodhi 4 for 60) & 132 (Tino Mawoyo 35, Craig Ervine 37; Martin Guptill 3 for 11) by 254 runs

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