New Zealand recorded their largest-ever victory in Take a look at cricket, steamrolling Zimbabwe in a dominant three-day show in Bulawayo as debutant bowler Zakary Foulkes wrote his identify into the historical past books with a surprising efficiency.
Rising to the event in his maiden Take a look at, 22-year-old Foulkes claimed 9 wickets throughout each innings—4 within the first and a devastating five-wicket haul within the second—setting a brand new benchmark for many wickets on debut by a New Zealand Take a look at participant. His swing and accuracy left Zimbabwe’s batters trying to find solutions and anchored a one-sided bowling efficiency that broke a number of staff information.
Batting barrage units the stage for New Zealand
The size of New Zealand’s dominance was evident from the outset. After dismissing Zimbabwe for simply 125 within the first innings, with Foulkes and senior pacer Matt Henry sharing 9 wickets, the Black Caps unleashed a rare batting show. Devon Conway ended his 949-day century drought with an excellent 153, whereas Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra piled on unbeaten centuries of 150 and 165 respectively. New Zealand raced to a mammoth 601/3, their highest-ever whole in opposition to Zimbabwe, amassing a lead of 476 runs by stumps on day two.
Nicholls’ century lifted him previous the legendary Stephen Fleming for Take a look at a whole bunch, underscoring the standard and expertise in a Black Caps lineup bolstered by the aggression of Ravindra, who scored at over a run a ball, and the resilience of Conway.
Zakary Foulkes makes prompt affect
Whereas New Zealand’s batting fireworks grabbed headlines, the story of the match was the emergence of Foulkes. Known as into the facet following a string of spectacular home performances for Canterbury, Foulkes displayed calm nerves and relentless precision to decimate Zimbabwe’s fragile line-up. Within the first innings, his disciplined line and skill to generate late swing noticed him end with figures of 4/38, complementing Henry’s five-for.
As Zimbabwe sought a comeback within the second innings, Foulkes stepped up as soon as extra, tearing by way of the center order for a five-wicket haul (5/37) and etching his identify into the file books. His general match tally of 9 wickets on debut eclipsed all earlier New Zealand information for a primary Take a look at look.
Additionally READ: Latest ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings
RECORD ALERT 🚨
Most wickets on Take a look at debut for New Zealand: 9️⃣ [Zakary Foulkes]
First innings: 4-fer
Second innings: Fifer #ZIMvNZ #cricket #2ndTest pic.twitter.com/sA2DWA9NOG— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 9, 2025
Document-breaking win for the Black Caps
New Zealand wrapped up Zimbabwe’s second innings for simply 117 and won the match by an innings and 359 runs – their largest victory margin in Assessments.
New Zealand’s largest victory margin in Take a look at cricket 🙌#Cricket #ZIMvsNZ #NewZealand #Tests pic.twitter.com/egHz6N8wOD
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 9, 2025
The great nature of the win—powered by runs, centuries and Foulkes’ magical bowling—left little question in regards to the Black Caps’ supremacy within the two-match collection and their promising depth.
Capping off the second Take a look at and a 2-0 sweep, the consequence marks a watershed second for New Zealand cricket, with recent faces like Foulkes exhibiting that the long run is vibrant.
Additionally READ: ZIM vs NZ – Top 5 best bowling figures by visiting fast bowlers in Zimbabwe Tests
