The Black Caps achieved their biggest-ever test win on Saturday, defeating Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs in the second test to secure a 2–0 series victory.
The match ended on Day 3 in Harare after Zimbabwe, trailing by 476 runs, was bowled out for just 117.
The star of the game was debutant fast bowler Zakary Foulkes, who took 5 wickets for 37 runs in the second innings. Combined with his four wickets in the first innings, Foulkes’ 9-75 match figures set a new record for the best performance by a New Zealand test debutant.
Other bowlers also shone, with Matt Henry taking 2-16, Jacob Duffy 2-28, and Matthew Fisher 1-22.
Earlier, New Zealand had declared at a massive 601-3, its highest total against Zimbabwe. Rachin Ravindra scored 165 not out, Henry Nicholls made 150 not out, and Devon Conway hit 153 in a dominant batting display.
Henry struck early in Zimbabwe’s second innings, bowling Brian Bennett for a duck and dismissing Brendan Taylor soon after. Quick wickets followed as Zimbabwe collapsed to 24-3, with Duffy and Fisher joining the attack before Foulkes finished the job.
This victory surpassed New Zealand’s previous best test win, also against Zimbabwe in 2012 by an innings and 301 runs. For Zimbabwe, it marked a sixth consecutive test defeat this year.
The Black Caps had already won the first test by nine wickets and also triumphed in a T20 tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa, ending their tour unbeaten.
