601/3 (130.0)
CR : 4.62
125/10 (48.5)
CR : 2.56
New Zealand won by an innings and 359 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Devon Conway
153(245)
4:10 PM IST and 12:40 PM Local Time: We are ready with the post-match ceremony...
Craig Ervine (Zimbabwe Captain): "Yeah, it has been really disappointing the way we finished today. At the same time, you have to look at the opposition. They are a quality side. We have to reflect on this performance. It shows where we stand as a team in the Test circuit.
There was a bit on it for the bowlers early on, and New Zealand bowlers exploited it better than our bowlers. Still, if you go back to the toss and ask me, I would have batted first. We found the wicket a bit two-paced, but it was better than that in the first match. They didn't miss much with the ball. We have a lot of work to do, and I think everyone will digest things differently.
The applications from the guys weren't good enough, but the skillsets of New Zealand left too much to do for us. You can now see the space between us and the top sides playing Test cricket. You need to keep playing against them.
There is a lot for us to learn from the South Africa series and this one. We had two tough series against South Africa and now New Zealand. Guys shouldn't be too disappointed with that. We are a young Test side. We will only learn.
Tsiga has been good. He was outstanding with the gloves. No byes, and the energy was right up there throughout the game. No surprise why he is up there with the runs. He will only get better from here. You have to back your plans, your work ethic, and believe you are on the right track. Hopefully, we can come back against Afghanistan and put in a better performance in that series."
There was a bit on it for the bowlers early on, and New Zealand bowlers exploited it better than our bowlers. Still, if you go back to the toss and ask me, I would have batted first. We found the wicket a bit two-paced, but it was better than that in the first match. They didn't miss much with the ball. We have a lot of work to do, and I think everyone will digest things differently.
The applications from the guys weren't good enough, but the skillsets of New Zealand left too much to do for us. You can now see the space between us and the top sides playing Test cricket. You need to keep playing against them.
There is a lot for us to learn from the South Africa series and this one. We had two tough series against South Africa and now New Zealand. Guys shouldn't be too disappointed with that. We are a young Test side. We will only learn.
Tsiga has been good. He was outstanding with the gloves. No byes, and the energy was right up there throughout the game. No surprise why he is up there with the runs. He will only get better from here. You have to back your plans, your work ethic, and believe you are on the right track. Hopefully, we can come back against Afghanistan and put in a better performance in that series."
Player of the Match: Devon Conway
Devon Conway (POTM): "Yeah, it was challenging. Credit to their bowlers as they made it a bit difficult early on with the new ball. Once the ball got older, things became a bit easier for us to score runs. We capitalised on that with some good performances.
The surface is a bit different from the one we played on in the first game. A little bit easier in this game with a bit less bounce. I think for us as a group, we always talk about being positive and putting pressure back on the bowlers, and I try to stick to that when I bat.
Rachin Ravindra came out with intent and aggression, and the way he and Henry Nicholls went about the partnership was outstanding to see."
The surface is a bit different from the one we played on in the first game. A little bit easier in this game with a bit less bounce. I think for us as a group, we always talk about being positive and putting pressure back on the bowlers, and I try to stick to that when I bat.
Rachin Ravindra came out with intent and aggression, and the way he and Henry Nicholls went about the partnership was outstanding to see."
Player of the Series: Matt Henry
Matt Henry (POTS): "It has been a great series. Great way to sign off. We played some good cricket today.
As a group, we put a lot of emphasis on the new ball. We knew that when the ball becomes old, it gets soft and makes things easier for the batters. So, it was important to get things right with the new ball. So, we had to ask questions early, and I am glad that we did.
Our skill set allows us to complement each other. The way the guys are coming in and showcasing their skills is awesome to see. They are outstanding. It is awesome to see the guys coming in and delivering straightaway. Thank you very much."
As a group, we put a lot of emphasis on the new ball. We knew that when the ball becomes old, it gets soft and makes things easier for the batters. So, it was important to get things right with the new ball. So, we had to ask questions early, and I am glad that we did.
Our skill set allows us to complement each other. The way the guys are coming in and showcasing their skills is awesome to see. They are outstanding. It is awesome to see the guys coming in and delivering straightaway. Thank you very much."
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): "It was a pretty good game. Obviously, after losing the toss, with the pitch having a bit in it, we bowled well. And the boys got through some tough periods with their partnerships and then cashed in.
Matt Henry with the new ball looks tough to play. We talked about keeping our standards up. I thought the first Test was very good.
Yeah, again, Rachin and Nicholls thrived to score freely even though the field was spread. Even Conway was very good. Even Duffy's partnership in the morning was important.
(On 3 debutants) It is never easy playing your first game. They settled in nicely."
Matt Henry with the new ball looks tough to play. We talked about keeping our standards up. I thought the first Test was very good.
Yeah, again, Rachin and Nicholls thrived to score freely even though the field was spread. Even Conway was very good. Even Duffy's partnership in the morning was important.
(On 3 debutants) It is never easy playing your first game. They settled in nicely."
Mitchell Santner collects the trophy. New Zealand players stand beyond the champions' board and pose for the photographs. A memorable Zimbabwe tour comes to an end. Santner has won all seven matches across formats in this tour, leading New Zealand brilliantly. The Black Caps sealed the T20I Tri-Series involving Zimbabwe and South Africa without dropping a game and then followed it with a 2-0 series win Tests.
Playing plenty of Test cricket just doesn’t mean you can move up the ranks unless you bring your skills into play. Zimbabwe need to be more courageous and disciplined to be able to weather the storm against teams like England, South Africa and New Zealand. These are the teams with whom the Chevrons have recently played red ball games. As expected, the Craig Ervine-led side was on the receiving end. Obviously, they will learn from that, but they are currently paying a hefty price for the tuition.
The arrival of Brendan Taylor gave the hosts a bit of extra zing, but that hasn’t changed Zimbabwe’s fate much. Amidst Taylor’s re-entry to international cricket, the African nation is elated to hear their former skipper, Graeme Cremer, is back available for selection after giving up on cricket in 2018. Given all these morale boosters, don’t forget every coin has two sides to it.
So, that is it from our end. I am AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my colleagues Zeeshan Naiyer and Aman. We will be back with more cracking action in the cricketing world. You can switch tabs to watch various other cricketing action going on around the world, especially The Hundred in the United Kingdom. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!
The arrival of Brendan Taylor gave the hosts a bit of extra zing, but that hasn’t changed Zimbabwe’s fate much. Amidst Taylor’s re-entry to international cricket, the African nation is elated to hear their former skipper, Graeme Cremer, is back available for selection after giving up on cricket in 2018. Given all these morale boosters, don’t forget every coin has two sides to it.
So, that is it from our end. I am AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my colleagues Zeeshan Naiyer and Aman. We will be back with more cracking action in the cricketing world. You can switch tabs to watch various other cricketing action going on around the world, especially The Hundred in the United Kingdom. We will meet again. Until then, it is cheers!