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*Official* New Zealand in Zimbabwe 2025 (Tests)

RMBolton

U19 Cricketer
All praise Boult for retiring 'a year too early '. None of this happens without him and his dedication to the Kuwait Indians.

All boo Southee, for denying Duffy something similar.
Duffy gets to be the World No.1 T20 bowler instead due to destroying Sri Lanka & Pakistan.
 

James

Cricket Web Owner
Unfortunately the headline from this test is going to be about Nicholls's not-out double century.
You would have thought with this being a non WTC series and it being against Zimbabwe, it was the perfect chance to blood some young and coming batsmen.
 

Chubb

International Regular
I didn’t have time to get a Zim simcard yet but I’ve just got back from the ground. We had a great time. It is extremely cheap to get in - $10 for the grandstand - and for food and drink. Two beers and two bottles of water was $5.

Everyone is incredibly friendly and kind: the guys running the scoreboard let me go inside it and we had lots of fun conversation.

A shame Zim did not play better but it was thoroughly enjoyable.
 

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RMBolton

U19 Cricketer
You would have thought with this being a non WTC series and it being against Zimbabwe, it was the perfect chance to blood some young and coming batsmen.
Blackcaps HQ likely don't view it that way. They likely view it as a "let's see what we've got here" series, & they're not really into adventurous selections. Even Fisher is likely seen as the next-in-line after Sears (& he's probably going on next month's A tour to South Africa).
The up-and-comers will likely be on the A tour, & anyone who impresses may be a bolter to face the Windies, or in the case of the One-Day leg the Windies or England. Or that squad may go full future forward with the 2027 WC & the next SA Tests in mind; it's confirmed there will be a SA all format tour in the next FTP, so that'll be in either the 2027-9 or 2029-31 WTC.
 

Skyliner

International Debutant
Certain wickets suit certain bowlers. Added to that the Zim batsmen were looking to survive and were leaving most of what O'Rourke delivered, so navigating steepling bounce when trying to play attacking shots wasn't a factor. Whereas the likes of England and Australia would look to attack and give chances. Henry bowling with his typical length and accuracy was too much for them, as was Smith who was getting the ball to duck back in viciously; the Zimbabweans looked very uncomfortable playing him.
 

Immenso

International Vice-Captain
86.3 overs, in the day. Plus 2 for change of innings. So 88.3.

Did they take the extra half hour? Or does it get too dark too soon in mid-winter Zim? (Edit: looked it up, from 10:00 to stumps at 5:30, so took the extra half hour).

Just curious how much no DRS has on the over rate. (Although they did review a bump ball).

BTW. the 3rd umpire position in this match with no ball-tracking, and no snicko, no hot-spot, must be the sweetest gig ever in the history of paid employment.
 
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Immenso

International Vice-Captain
Pitch was maybe a little too bouncy today for a Nicholls bottom-handed shoveled double century.

Fortunately conditions should be perfect on day 2.
 

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