Ervine resists but New Zealand in control

Tea Zimbabwe 185 for 5 (Chibhabha 60, Ervine 48*, Santner 2-55) trail New Zealand 582 for 4 decl. (Latham 136, Taylor 124*) by 397 runs Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

New Zealand made two more incisions into Zimbabwe’s line-up to complete a quarter of the task they have set for themselves: to take 20 wickets on a flat Queens Sports Club surface in Bulawayo. They have, however, found a method to claim those scalps – reverse swing.

Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner all managed late movement with a well-worked ball that Zimbabwe weren’t sure whether to play or leave. With New Zealand’s spinners bowling to suffocatingly close fields, there was no let up in pressure but Craig Ervine’s positive yet restrained approach that fetched him 48 by tea on the third day kept Zimbabwe afloat, by only just, as they ended the session on 185 for 5. Peter Moor, the debutant, was unbeaten on 25.

Ervine was needed after Zimbabwe’s openers, Chamu Chibhabha and Tino Mawoyo, gave the team it’s best start in 13 Tests over five years, with a 65-run stand. Sikandar Raza then squandered a chance to show he could play a more responsible role at the top of the order. By then, a …

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