The Zimbabwe national cricket team has been left in a spot of bother after losing four wickets in the first session of their first Test against New Zealand on day one in front of a sparsely populated Queens Sports Club.
By Kevin Mapasure in Bulawayo
The home side ended the morning session on 49/4 after losing Brian Chari (1), Chamu Chibhabha (15), Hamilton Masakadza (15) and Sean Williams who scored just one run after facing three deliveries.
At lunch Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza were both not out on four and nine respectively in their effort to rebuild Zimbabwe’s first innings.
Williams’ dismissal was in rather unfortunate circumstances as after missing the ball with his bat, it struck his helmet but he was sent back to the pavilion.
He briefly made his case with the umpire before he walked off and television replays vindicated him but it was a little too late.
The hosts made a disastrous start when they lost their first wicket in only the second delivery of the day when New Zealand seamer Tim Southee picked the edge of Chari straight to Martin Guptill at slip.
Chibhabha and Masakadza looked to steady things for a while and all hope was that they would see through the morning session.
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It did look like they would achieve that as they looked solid for long not offering chances.
But once Chibhabha skied Neil Wagner with Tom Latham completing the catch, things went downhill for Zimbabwe raising fears that they could slide into an embarrassing total.
Zimbabwe lost three wickets for just one run losing Chibhabha, Masakadza and Williams. Masakadza was caught and bowled by Santner after facing 52 balls.
Zimbabwe; Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza Butt, Prince Masvaure, Regis Chakabva, Graeme Cremer, Donald Tiripano, Mike Chinouya.
New Zealand; Tom Latham, Martin Guptil, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, B J Watling, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
Zim bat first after winning tossThe Zimbabwe national cricket team captain Graeme Cremer has won the toss and electing to bat first in their first Test against New Zealand at Queens Sports club this morning.
Zimbabwe named three debutants in Chamu Chibhabha, Mike Chinouya and Prince Masvaure with Tino Mawoyo ruled out through injury.
Chinouya was not part of the training squad but after Chatara was ruled out after aggravating his ankle injury, he was called in and went straight into the playing side. Zimbabwe; Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza Butt, Prince Masvaure, Regis Chakabva, Graeme Cremer, Donald Tiripano, Mike Chinouya.
New Zealand; Tom Latham, Martin Guptil, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, B J Watling, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult.
