Neil Wagner’s career best figure bowled out Zimbabwe cheaply

Tags: New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe 2016, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Vs New Zealand 1st Test at Harare, Jul 28-02, 2016

Published on: Jul 29, 2016

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Left arm seamer Neil Wagner claimed his career-best Test figure of six for 41 as New Zealand took complete

New Zealand 32 for 0 (Latham 16) trail Zimbabwe 164 (Tiripano 49, Masvaure 42, Wagner 6-41) by 132 runs
Left arm seamer Neil Wagner claimed his career-best Test figure of six for 41 as New Zealand took complete control of the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queen’s Sports Club on Thursday. New Zealand bowled out Zimbabwe for mere 164 runs, thanks to the 9th wicket stand which contributed 85 runs. At stumps, New Zealand were 32 without any loss. Opener Martin Guptill (14*) and Tom Latham (16*) were at the crease and the visitors were 132 runs behind.
The play of the day belong to South African born New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner, who target the body of the fragile batting line up of the hosts. Zimbabwe, playing their first Test in almost two years, had elected to bat on what still looks a flat wicket, but after losing Brian Chari (four) to the second ball of the innings off the bowling of Tim Southee, found themselves 72 for eight soon after lunch.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (2-16 in 14 overs) did some early damage before Wagner accounted for debutant opener Chamu Chibhabha (15), caught at mid-wicket. Sean Williams (one) lobbed a catch to the same area, though he was convinced the ball had come off his helmet. With no review system for this series he had to accept the decision of Australian umpire Paul Reiffel. Then came that explosive 33rd over as Wagner struck three times in five balls. Sikandar Raza (22) was another victim for mid-wicket and Regis Chakabva (0) nicked behind before home captain Graeme Cremer edged a rising delivery to short leg for a first-ball duck. There was some belated resistance from Zimbabwe as debutant Prince Masvaure (42) and Donald Tiripano (49 not out) put on a patient 85 for the ninth wicket before the former was unlucky to be given out lbw to Southee. Wagner ended the innings when he bowled Michael Chinouya for one to take his sixth wicket and earn Test-best figures.

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