New Zealand Crush Zimbabwe by Innings and 359 Runs, Record Third-Biggest Test Victory

BULAWAYO – New Zealand completed a commanding innings and 359-run victory over Zimbabwe on the third day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Saturday, marking the third-largest win by an innings in Test cricket history.

Debutant Zak Foulkes starred with the ball, claiming 5 for 37 in Zimbabwe’s second innings as the hosts were dismissed for just 117. Only Nic Welch, unbeaten on 47, offered resistance against New Zealand’s relentless pace attack.

The win ranks behind England’s innings-and-579-run triumph over Australia at The Oval in 1938 and Australia’s innings-and-360-run win over South Africa in Johannesburg in 2001/02.

New Zealand captain Mitch Santner praised his side’s all-round performance, highlighting the team’s ability to withstand pressure before capitalising on key moments.

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The visitors had declared overnight on a mammoth 601 for 3, with Devon Conway’s 153 earning him the Player of the Match award. Matt Henry struck early in Zimbabwe’s reply, removing Brian Bennett for his second duck of the match. Henry also accounted for Brendan Taylor and Craig Ervine before Jacob Duffy and Matthew Fisher made further inroads.

Foulkes, recalled after Nathan Smith’s injury in the first Test, sealed the win with a devastating spell to finish with match figures of 9 for 77. Henry, who took 16 wickets across the two-Test series, was named Player of the Series.

The result was Zimbabwe’s sixth straight defeat — four by an innings — since their win over Bangladesh in April. New Zealand’s margin also surpassed their previous biggest victory, an innings-and-301-run win against Zimbabwe in Napier in 2011/12.