Matt Henry’s Key Two Wickets Power NZ in ZIM vs NZ Test Opener
Matt Henry struck twice as New Zealand began their Bulawayo Test with disciplined bowling. Mitchell Santner leads the side in the first match after Tom Latham’s injury.
Day 1: New Zealand Start Strong in Bulawayo
**Bulawayo, Zimbabwe – July 30, 2025** – The first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand is underway at the Queens Sports Club, and New Zealand's pace spearhead **Matt Henry** has wasted no time making an impact. After Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first, Henry delivered crucial early breakthroughs, setting a disciplined tone for the Blackcaps.
Live Update:
Zimbabwe: 24/2 (7 Overs)
Current Batters: Ben Curran 8(14), Nick Welch 0(5)
Last Wicket: Brian Bennett c Will Young b Matt Henry 6(11) - 10/1 in 2.6 overs. The second wicket was taken by an unconfirmed bowler, but the score indicates 2 wickets down.
New Zealand is being led by **Mitchell Santner** for the first time in Tests, stepping in as captain after Tom Latham was ruled out of this match due to a shoulder injury.
Henry's Early Strikes Set the Tone
Matt Henry, known for his pace and precision, has been instrumental in New Zealand's strong start. He claimed the first wicket of the innings, dismissing Brian Bennett for 6 runs. His disciplined bowling in the opening overs has kept the Zimbabwean batsmen under pressure, forcing them to play cautiously.
At the time of the latest update, Henry's figures stand at **3 overs, 0 maidens, 12 runs, and 1 wicket**. His ability to extract movement off the pitch and maintain tight lines has been a key factor in restricting Zimbabwe's scoring opportunities early on.
Santner's Test Captaincy Debut
This match marks a significant milestone for Mitchell Santner, who is leading New Zealand in a Test match for the very first time. With regular captain Tom Latham sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Santner has stepped up to the challenge. His leadership in the white-ball formats, where he recently led New Zealand to a T20I Tri-Series victory in Harare, has instilled confidence in the team management.
Under the guidance of new head coach Rob Walter, the Blackcaps are looking to maintain their strong record against Zimbabwe and start the two-match Test series on a winning note. The team features a blend of experienced campaigners and promising young talents, all keen to make their mark.
Zimbabwe's Uphill Battle
Zimbabwe, led by Craig Ervine, faces a formidable challenge against a well-drilled New Zealand side. The early wickets lost will put pressure on their middle order, including key players like Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, to stabilize the innings and post a competitive total on what is generally considered a batting-friendly pitch at Queens Sports Club.
The home side will need to show resilience and capitalize on any scoring opportunities to counter New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack.
Looking Ahead: Day 1 Progress
As Day 1 progresses, all eyes will be on how Zimbabwe navigates the early pressure from New Zealand's bowlers, particularly Matt Henry. The match promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams vie for an early advantage in the series. Fans can continue to follow the live action on FanCode.
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