By CricketCountry Staff
Rain interrupted proceedings on the second day of the one-off Test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Napier, after the hosts reached 392 for five with BJ Watling (52) and Doug Bracewell (11) at the crease.
Published: Jan 27, 2012, 06:47 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 27, 2012, 06:47 AM (IST)
New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor receives attention after sustaining an injury during the second day of the one-off Test © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Napier: Jan 26, 2012
Rain interrupted proceedings on the second day of the one-off Test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe at Napier, after the hosts reached 392 for five with BJ Watling (52) and Doug Bracewell (11) at the crease.
Kiwi skipper Ross Taylor, who resumed at his overnight score of 111, had to retire hurt due to an injury after adding 11 runs to his individual score.
Earlier on the opening day, Taylor finished the day on 111 not out after his team lost the toss and were sent into bat on a green-tinged wicket expected to favour the bowlers.
However fears of demons in the pitch proved unfounded and, while the hard-working tourists worried the Black Caps at times, they failed to maintain consistent pressure against a dogged New Zealand batting line up.
Openers Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill both scored half centuries in a 124-run opening stand, while former skipper Daniel Vettori joined the party with a rapid-fire 38 off 46 balls.
The opening pair dominated the first session, seeing off the new ball and frustrating Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor’s hopes of an early breakthrough in his side’s first away Test since 2005.
New Zealand, riding high after a rare win over Australia last month, kept the scoreboard ticking over with boundaries but the batsmen heeded coach John Wright’s advice not to throw away their wickets with rash shots.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 392 for 5 (Ross Taylor 122* retd , Brendon McCullum 83, BJ Watling 52*, Martin Guptill 51; Hamilton Masakadza 1 for 45) vs Zimbabwe.
