Black Caps v Zimbabwe Test

I saw the highlights on Prime TV of the Test between Zimbabwe and the Black Caps last night.

It was a good batting display well backed up by the bowlers. Those slip catches were excellent and so few errors from the New Zealand team. Well done to them. It’s nice when all the practice comes off in a Test. Amazing day really and the biggest Test win in our history.

Zimbabwe was a disappointment, however, and I’m sure Taibu, Taylor and Hamilton Masakadza, all exciting players on their day, will be looking to make amends in the upcoming one-day series. Taylor had a few good knocks for Wellington in the HRV Cup this season. He can do much better than his limp display yesterday. Still, England was skittled by Pakistan for 72 as well. Every team has their horror days.

Zimbabwe have had some good batsmen over the years, from the elegant left-hander Alistair Campbell to the brothers Andy and Grant Flower (who both scored Test double hundreds), to David Houghton, Murray Goodwin and the determined Kevin Arnott (101 not out against New Zealand, 1992/93).

I really hope Zimbabwe can pick themselves up from this heavy defeat to play some good cricket in the one-dayers and give the Black Caps some preparation for the South Africa series.