Disney on Ice stars ready to enchant New Zealand
The Black Caps are on their way to a big lead in their second test match against Zimbabwe and the Tall Blacks have won their second match of the Asia Cup. Video / Herald NOW
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NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Black Caps v Zimbabwe: Second test, day three live updates
All the action from day three of the second test between the Black Caps and Zimbabwe from Bulawayo Centuries galore as Black Caps' batters bash Zimbabwe into the dirt The Black Caps are on course to crush Zimbabwe, and seal a 2-0 series sweep in the process, after dominating day two of the second test in Bulawayo. When Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss on day one, he declared the pitch used for this test would be a better batting wicket than what had been seen in last week's series opener. He wasn't wrong. Unfortunately for the hosts, though, it was the Black Caps who have made the most of it. On a day where only two wickets fell, New Zealand left the Queen's Sports Club pitch at 601/3, a new record total for the Black Caps against Zimbabwe, and in front by a colossal 476 runs. Having not scored a test century for 949 days, Devon Conway formed the backbone of the Black Caps' scorecard with 153, second only to his 200 on debut at Lord's more than four years ago. Henry Nicholls, meanwhile, didn't have to wait as long – 875 days – to pass triple figures, but notched his 10th test hundred, and in doing so overtook former captain Stephen Fleming on the list of New Zealand's most prolific century makers on his way to 150 not out. Then, against a bowling attack already on its knees, Rachin Ravindra rubbed salt into Zimbabwe's wounds with a breakneck boundary-laden ton, to bat the Black Caps completely out of their hosts' sights by adding an unbeaten 165 runs from just 139 balls. And, considering Daryl Mitchell was still padded up in the final over of the day, the Black Caps might not be done with the bat just yet, either, with the Nicholls-Ravindra partnership an unbroken 256 runs. Given the lead is already higher than any total Zimbabwe have managed this series, and the Kiwi bowling attack will enter the third innings after more than an entire day off the park, the Black Caps can and likely will hunt a second successive victory inside three days. Resuming at 174/1, with a lead of 49 runs already in the bank, it took Conway just one ball to show New Zealand's intent, with a boundary through point as a sign of what was to come. But with eyes on New Zealand's senior batter, it was nightwatchman Jacob Duffy who added the early impetus on day two. Even as a tailender batting at No 3, Duffy dominated the scoring in the pair's half-century stand, raised in 58 deliveries. After missing out on three figures in the first test, Conway pushed Blessing Muzurabani (1/101) down the ground for a boundary through mid-off and passed 100 for the fifth time in test cricket, the first time since January 2023. Before the end of the first hour, Duffy's fun came to an end when he pulled Vincent Masekasa (1/104) straight to short midwicket for 36, breaking the partnership with Conway for 73. That, though, merely opened the door for the top order, as Conway combined with Nicholls to take the lead past 150, en route to another fifty partnership, this one taking 73 deliveries. The milestones didn't stop coming in the afternoon either; Nicholls reached his fifty from 76 balls, and even reverse-swept Masekesa to take the lead past 200, before Conway drove through cover to raise the century stand, and his 150 one delivery later. Desperate for a breakthrough, the new ball rewarded Zimbabwe, as a nasty ball from Muzurabani hit Conway in the chest, and ricocheted onto the stumps to end his stay, and the partnership with Nicholls for 110. That was all the respite Zimbabwe would get before tea, though. At 345/3, Ravindra arrived at the crease, and launched a stinging series of boundaries against an already deflated attack, to surge to 50 in just 48 balls, with 40 of those coming in fours alone. Advertise with NZME. In no time, he and Nicholls added yet another 50-run partnership, and took New Zealand's total past 400, as an edge to third man pushed the lead beyond 300. The tea break halted Nicholls' march to his century, but merely delayed the inevitable, as a glance through midwicket took the 33-year-old to his hundred, his first since a career-best 200 not out against Sri Lanka in March of 2023. Despite his milestone, though, Nicholls was comfortably second fiddle in the partnership. Ravindra carried on his assault into the final session as the total moved past 500. And after drinks in the final session, Ravindra became the third of the Kiwi batters to remove his helmet for three figures, needing only 104 balls to pass 100 for the third time in his test career. Once Ravindra's celebrations subsided, though, eyes turned to the Black Caps' dressing room, as declaration speculation began. A Nicholls punch down the ground saw the lead pass 400, before a single to cover raised the double-century stand with Ravindra. As he'd done all day, Ravindra continued to find the boundary, pushing his score beyond a run a ball, and brought up the day's 400th run in the process with a punch to mid-off as he overtook Nicholls' score. In comical scenes towards the end of play, Ravindra believed he'd reached 150 with a drive through cover, only to actually raise it one ball later with a pull over square leg for the innings' first six, and then cleared long-on for good measure. Two final milestones were passed in the day's final over, as Nicholls pulled Tanaka Chivanga for four to raise the 250-run partnership, before a single to midwicket brought up his 150 before the close. Now, all eyes will be on captain Mitchell Santner for when – not if – the declaration comes.
1News
11 hours ago
- 1News
Three big centuries lengthen Black Caps lead against Zimbabwe
Three big centuries by top-order New Zealand batters led the Black Caps to a record-breaking 601-3 against an exhaustive Zimbabwe on the second day of the second test on Friday. Rachin Ravindra was unbeaten on 165 from 139 balls, featuring 21 fours and two sixes, while Henry Nicholls was not out on 150 as the Black Caps shut out the home team for a monumental lead of 476 runs. Both left-handers combined in an explosive 256-run fourth-wicket stand off 285 balls to surpass New Zealand's previous best of 582-4 declared against Zimbabwe at the same venue nine years ago. Zimbabwe had little to counter the aggression of the top-order batters as New Zealand smacked 427-2 after resuming on a solid 174-1. Devon Conway had earlier made 153 with 18 fours for his first test hundred in over two years before being undone by Blessing Muzarabani. ADVERTISEMENT But that was all Zimbabwe could bag with the second new ball. Ravindra exhibited a wide range of shots on both sides of the wicket from the onset and capped a perfect day for the Black Caps when he hammered leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa (1-104) for two fours and two sixes in one over late in the final session. Nicholls has long been struggling to get a regular place in New Zealand test team. But in the absence of Kane Williamson and Tom Latham for the two-test series, he made full use of the opportunity to score his first test hundred since 2023, grinding out his innings off 245 balls with 15 fours. Conway and Nicholls grafted a 110-run stand on a day when Zimbabwe spinners couldn't getting any assistance of a slow wicket as pace bowlers Muzarabani (1-101) and Trevor Gwandu (1-131) also conceded more than 100 runs. Earlier, Conway moved to 140 and Nicholls set himself up for a big knock by reaching 41 by lunch as New Zealand cruised to 306-2. Zimbabwe tried six bowlers in the session but only Masekesa got success when the leg-spinner dismissed nightwatcher Jacob Duffy for 36 before New Zealand had another productive session of 132-1 as Conway led the charge with his fifth test century. He showed plenty of aggression against the fast bowlers and smashed Tanaka Chivanga through point boundary off the first ball of the day. ADVERTISEMENT Conway then reached his century off 143 balls when he drove Muzarabani through mid-off for his 13th boundary of the innings, raising both arms to celebrate his much-awaited hundred in the longest format. Conway's last test hundred came against Pakistan at Karachi in 2023. Since then the left-hander had played 16 test matches without a century. Zimbabwe lost the first test by nine wickets inside three days and its batting order once again crumbled for 125 on Day 1 against a new crop of New Zealand fast bowlers with Matt Henry and debutant Zakary Foulkes sharing nine wickets between them. The two-match series is not part of the World Test Championship.
NZ Herald
13 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Auckland mum's relatable parenting moment goes viral
NZ Herald Sports Update: August 8, 2025 The Black Caps are on their way to a big lead in their second test match against Zimbabwe and the Tall Blacks have won their second match of the Asia Cup. Video / Herald NOW
