NZ's Daryl Mitchell's Strategy For Zimbabwe Test: 'Get A Lead On...'

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4 days ago

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Daryl Mitchell's 80 runs helped New Zealand secure a 158-run lead against Zimbabwe, who ended the day at 31 for two, trailing by 127 runs.
New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell emphasised the importance of gaining a substantial lead after guiding the Black Caps to a strong position on the second day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
Mitchell scored 80 runs as New Zealand secured a first-innings lead of 158 runs before the visitors captured two late wickets.
Zimbabwe ended the day at 31 for two, trailing by 127 runs to avoid making New Zealand bat again.
'It's nice to get a lead on a challenging surface which is going up and down a bit. A couple of wickets tonight tops it off," said Mitchell.
Mitchell noted that the Queens Club pitch had surprised the New Zealanders with its tennis ball-type bounce. He praised Zimbabwe's fast bowlers, Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, who 'bowled really well."
Muzarabani and Chivanga took three and two wickets respectively as New Zealand slipped from their overnight score of 92 for no wicket to 233 for seven in response to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 149.
'We were just trying to take it ball by ball and over by over," said Mitchell.
'We recognised that runs on that surface are going to be pretty valuable at the back end of the game. I thought the way he (Smith) gutsed it out was awesome. The injury was niggly but the way he hung in there and stuck it out for a few overs, he should be very proud."
Smith did not field when Zimbabwe commenced their second innings, suggesting that his injury might prevent him from bowling on Friday.
Mitchell was the last man out after facing 119 balls and hitting five fours and a six.
Faced with just under an hour to bat until the close, Zimbabwe made a promising start with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran putting on 25 for the first wicket.
However, Matt Henry, who took six for 39 in the first innings, made the breakthrough with a bouncer to Curran (11), which the left-hander top-edged to fine leg.
Five balls later, Will O'Rourke had Bennett caught behind for 18, leaving Zimbabwe with a considerable challenge if they are to take the match into a fourth day, let alone avoid their seventh defeat in nine Test matches since last December.
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