NZ spinners cap off Zimbabwe capitulation for 2-0 win
After wondering whether they could pick up 20 wickets on unresponsive Zimbabwean surfaces before the series began, New Zealand did it twice to seal the rubber 2-0
After wondering whether they could pick up 20 wickets on unresponsive Zimbabwean surfaces before the series began, New Zealand did it twice to seal the rubber 2-0
Commentator: Nikhil Kalro
1.15pm Right then, it's been a pleasure as always to bring you the game. Thanks for your comments and your time. Loads of cricket going on, so stay tuned. Until next time, bye.
12.55pm All over rather quickly after lunch. Five wickets in under 45 minutes, and NZ clinically put Zimbabwe away. They head to South Africa after sweeping Zimbabwe 2-0. In terms of the Test, a much much better effort from Zimbabwe, put up stiffer resistance, fought hard, but the story after lunch was a rather sad effort. Some soft dismissals, some tough decisions. Deserved mentions to Craig Ervine, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, along with handy contributions from NZ's bowlers who toiled away. Zimbabwe can take away quite a few positives from this game.
Presentation time.
Neil Wagner is the Man of the Series: "Never in my wildest dreams, I expected to get something like this in the quality group we got. Was hard toil, full credit to the Zimbabwe team. Latham and Nicholls, great catching. I think I've shrunk a few centimetres after the series. Has been outstanding. Focus on SA now, a lot of hardwork."
Graeme Cremer: "We got used to their seamers I suppose. We showed fight. Credit to the guys, couldn't ask for anything more. We knew it was going to be hard to get wickets. Credit to NZ for taking 20 wickets. Any cricket for us is really appreciated, we need to be playing more to be more competitive. Hopefully we can get in some cricket before SL series in October
Kane Williamson is the Man of the Match: "Great effort, knew it was going to be tough to take 20 wickets on this surface. Credit to the bowlers to take 20 wickets. Nice toss to win, to be able to bowl on the last day. We had to pick a balance, some guys had to miss out. All in our squad are stepping up, causing a few problems but a good problem to have. Personally, they (records) aren't high on my agenda. Trying to contribute to the team. The odd record comes up, that's nice but focus on the team. Important we look to improve. Big challenge in SA."
MT Chinouya c Williamson b Sodhi 0 (1m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
PS Masvaure c Taylor b Sodhi 11 (106m 61b 1x4 0x6) SR: 18.03
Neil: "Sodhi has the perfect plan. Bowl a whole lot of bad balls, the batsmen relax and play some shots, then he tosses in the occasional good one to get a wicket....genius."
AG Cremer lbw b Guptill 1 (16m 17b 0x4 0x6) SR: 5.88
New Zealand's coach Mike Hesson has said his side's 2-0 sweep of the Test series in Zimbabwe is important as they look to establish themselves as a top team
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was pleased with the way his spinners came through after the seamers and the batsmen set the match up in the three previous innings
Despite losing 0-2, that Zimbabwe showed improvement from one Test to the next, which spoke to their ability and desire to keep playing at the highest level, even as world cricket regularly ignores them
The absence of DRS meant there was extra focus on the on-field umpires. As many as ten errors, including four on the final morning, with Zimbabwe battling to save the Test, did them no favours