Latham, Williamson fifties give New Zealand lead

Tea New Zealand 214 for 1 (Latham 98*, Williamson 61*) lead Zimbabwe 164 (Tiripano 49*, Wagner 6-41) by 50 runsLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The clock had just struck 1pm, the second day’s play was abut to reach its midway point and New Zealand were already ahead. Tom Latham, who is on the brink of his fourth Test century, put them in the lead while Kane Williamson, who added a half-century on his Test captaincy debut, was at the other end.

For Zimbabwe, that means nothing but more misery. Their attack is a bowler short after Sean Williams did not make it to the ground with illness and the rest struggled to put consistent pressure on New Zealand. They were also without wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva, who has tonsilitis. Opening batsman Brian Chari, who is not known for his glovework, had to take over behind the stumps and his inexperience in that position cost Zimbabwe dearly.

A stumping chance and two catches went abegging with Zimbabwe’s sole success coming in the morning session when Chamu Chibhabha dismissed Martin Guptill.

Chibhabha, a medium-pacer, remained …

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