New Zealand-Zimbabwe Test ends in draw
Zimbabwe decided to close up shop early today, forcing a one-off Test between the visitors and
New Zealand to end in a draw.
Faced with a winning target of 301, Zimbabwe never entertained the task of scoring seven runs an over and ended
their second innings on 60 for two when stumps were drawn 13 overs ahead of schedule.
Those to depart were Guy Whittall for six and Gavin Rennie for 37. Stuart Carlisle was not out 16 and Alistair
Campbell had not scored.
New Zealand declared its second innings closed on 153 for four an hour before the tea break, giving the tourists a
minimum of 43 overs to score their first Test win over the home side.
Earlier in the day Zimbabwe cut short its first innings on 340 for six, having added 52 runs to their overnight score
before captain Heath Streak gave New Zealand the chance to set the tourists a final innings' run chase.
Streak was unbeaten on 19 and Trevor Madondo was not out 74, his maiden Test half century.
Chris Martin took the only Zimbabwean first-innings wicket to fall today when he had Doug Marillier caught for 28
by wicketkeeper Adam Parore.
The dismissal gave Martin his first five-wicket bag in just his fourth Test.
He had figures of five for 71 off 32.5 overs. His only blemish was in the field when he dropped a simple chance
offered by Gavin Rennie in the second innings off legspinner Brooke Walker.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming top-scored in New Zealand's second innings with 55 while Nathan Astle was
unbeaten on 51, giving him a fine double for the match after he scored a test-best 141 in the first innings.
New Zealand opener Matt Horne had a dismal return to the Test arena after injury, scoring one in the first innings and
a duck today. He was making his return after breaking a finger on the tour of Zimbabwe in September.
The teams play the first of three one-dayers on Tuesday in Taupo.
The complete scorecard
Mail Cricket Editor
