Williamson, Taylor push lead above 300

New Zealand 166 for 2 dec (Williamson 68*, Taylor 67*) & 582 for 4 dec lead Zimbabwe 362 by 386 runs Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details

New Zealand smashed 48 runs in four overs, throwing their bats at everything, to declare with a lead of 386. Ross Taylor, who was unbeaten on 67, has not been dismissed in the series and has scored 364 runs.

Five years ago, at the same venue, New Zealand set Zimbabwe a target of 366 and won by a narrow margin of 34 runs. On that occasion, Zimbabwe batted for 108.1 overs. This time, they will need to see off at least 116.

Williamson grew New Zealand’s lead after deciding not to enforce the follow-on, after Craig Ervine took Zimbabwe close to avoiding it. Ervine’s career-best 146 held Zimbabwe together on the third day and he tried to marshall his side again on the fourth morning. Zimbabwe held out for 23.4 overs, but the last four wickets fell for 43 runs and they conceded a deficit of 220 against a New Zealand attack that remained a constant threat.

This was the first day in the two-and-a-half weeks in the series that the teams were not greeted by clear skies. A cloud cover blocked the sun but with a chilly breeze blowing there was a little hope of swing through the air.

Trent Boult and …

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