Matt Henry's fifer bulldozes Zimbabwe for 125 as New Zealand ends Day 1 at 174/1 with 49-run lead in 2nd Test

New Zealand rode on Matt Henry's sizzling fifer to disrupt Zimbabwe's batting line-up on the first day of the second Test in Bulawayo on August 7. After bowling out their hosts for a meager 125, the Kiwis ended the day at 174-1, holding a 49-run lead to take the upper hand. Opening batter Devon Conway (79) and nightwatchman Jacob Duffy (8) were unbeaten at stumps.

New Zealand dominate Zimbabwe on Day 1 in 2nd Test

The New Zealand innings was built on a strong 162-run opening partnership between Conway and Will Young. Just before the close of play, Young was bowled for 74 after chopping a delivery from Trevor Gwandu onto his stumps. The bowlers were the real stars of the day, however. Matt Henry, the Man of the Match from the first Test, continued his excellent form with another five-wicket haul, finishing with 5/40. Debutant Zakary Foulkes was also impressive, taking 4-38.

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For Zimbabwe, who won the toss and elected to bat, only two players made significant contributions. Veteran Brendan Taylor, making a return to the team after a three-and-a-half-year ban for breaching anti-corruption and anti-doping rules, top-scored with 44. His promising innings ended when he steered an easy catch to Mitchell Santner off a delivery from Matt Henry. The only other player to show resistance was wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, who remained unbeaten on 33. Foulkes was one of three debutants for New Zealand, who were again led by Mitchell Santner as captain Tom Latham was sidelined with a shoulder injury. New Zealand had previously won the first Test by nine wickets at the same venue.

Matt Henry was in devastating form, not just rattling but completely bulldozing through Zimbabwe's batting lineup with figures of 5/40 from 15 overs. This stellar performance earned him a spot in an exclusive club of New Zealand bowlers.

With this five-wicket haul, Henry has now tied the record for the most Test "fifers" for New Zealand against Zimbabwe, joining legendary bowlers like Shane Bond and Chris Martin. This was Henry's sixth five-wicket haul in his 32-Test career, bringing his total to 134 wickets at an average of 27.69. It was also his second in this series alone.

New Zealand bowlers with most Test fifers against Zimbabwe:

His dominance throughout the series has been remarkable. He has taken 14 wickets in just three innings at a sensational average of 9.28. In the first Test, which New Zealand won by nine wickets, he registered match figures of 9/90. It's clear that Henry is absolutely owning the Zimbabwean batting lineup this series.