1 Aug 2016

Black Caps roll Zimbabwe

7:26 am on 1 August 2016

The Black Caps have crushed Zimbabwe by an innings and 117 runs with a day to spare in the first cricket test in Bulawayo.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Sean Williams scored a maiden test century for the hosts but it was in vain as New Zealand clinched a comprehensive victory on day four to take a 1-nil lead in the two-test series.

Zimbabwe were dismissed shortly before tea in their second innings for 295, with seamer Trent Boult taking four wickets.

Fellow paceman Neil Wagner took three wickets to claim an eight-wicket haul for the match.

Captain Kane Williamson said the Black Caps bowlers set up the win when they rolled Zimbabwe for just 164 in their first innings.

"That was a huge part in us getting ahead in the game. The way the guys bowled in that first innings it was very hostile and allowed us to get ahead in the game. We knew trying to bowl them out again on a very flat surface was going to be extremely challenging and it was, they showed a lot of fight."

Williamson said his bowlers did a terrific job on a lifeless pitch.

"Sometimes on surfaces particularly like this one that are quite slow and don't have a huge amount of bounce you need to try and be a little bit creative so the guys certainly showed that and it was a very very good effort to be able to get 20 wickets."

Batsman Ross Taylor was named man of the match after scoring 173 not out in the Black Caps first innings.

The second test starts in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Look back at the commentary here: