Chris Mpofu’s career-best figures of four for 92 helped Zimbabwe dismiss New Zealand for 426 before the hosts reached 82 for one at stumps on day two of their only Test.
Dean Brownlie’s half-century on his debut seemed to have set New Zealand up for a declaration as he lifted the scoring rate with Daniel Vettori after lunch. A disciplined bowling performance from Zimbabwe had seen them pick up two wickets and restrict the New Zealand scoring on the second morning, but Vettori took just two deliveries after the break to find the boundary.
Mpofu’s stamina had already seen him bowl several lengthy spells, but none were as effective as the six-over stint he produced to rattle through the lower order as New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 25 runs. Left-arm spinner Ray Price picked up the first and last wickets of that sequence, with Mpofu removing the three batsmen in between.
In reply, Vusi SIbanda hit an unbeaten half-century, adding 58 for the second wicket with Hamilton Masakadza so far as Zimbabwe lost just the one wicket in 40 overs.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2011.
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