New Zealand win dramatic Test and series

New Zealand won the second Test against Zimbabwe by eight wickets and with just 15 balls to spare in Harare on Saturday to take the series 2-0.

But to do it they needed to fend off a formidable comeback by Zimbabwe, led by mid-order batsman Guy Whittall, who made what was almost a match-saving 188 not out.

It also not included a certain amount of controversy near the end.

New Zealand could not have expected to bat again after scoring 465 in their first innings and bowling Zimbabwe out for 166. Asking the home team to bat again and score 299 to avoid an innings defeat, the Kiwis would have felt no anxiety as the home side slumped to 48 for four before lunch Thursday. But Guy Whittall put on 131 for the fifth wicket with Andy Flower, who made 65. He followed this with a partnership of 151 with his captain Heath Streak.

And as he approached the second double century of his career -- Whittall made 203 not out against New Zealand in Bulawayo on a previous tour -- the tourists sensed the match slipping away. They captured the wickets of Streak, Mluleki Nkala, Henry Olonga and Paul Strang in a turn-around of fortune just before the end of the second session, leaving last man Mpumulelo Mbangwa with Whittall -- and he stayed much longer than the New Zealanders were comfortable with.

As time ran out, Whittall and Mbangwa took a quick single and turned to snatch a second. But Whittall and the bowler Dion Nash collided, Mbangwa turned to regain his ground but was run out by a Nash throw-down.

The Zimbabweans claimed Whittall was deliberately impeded and that Mbangwa was left stranded but umpires David Shepherd and Ian Robinson took no action.

Left to make 72 runs in 18 overs, New Zealand reached their target in the 16th over. Zimbabwe and New Zealand begin a three-match one-day international series in Harare on Wednesday.

Mail Cricket Editor