Matt Henry's Six-Wicket Haul Dominates Zimbabwe's Opening Test Day

Seamer Matt Henry took six wickets as New Zealand bowled out hosts Zimbabwe for 149 on the opening day of the first test at Queens Sports Club on Wednesday before scoring 92-0 in reply to trail by 57 runs.

The 33-year-old Henry took three wickets before lunch and three more after the opening session to finish with figures of 6-39 off 15.3 overs as the tourists dominated, with medium-fast bowler Nathan Smith making a significant contribution with 3-20. New Zealand opener Devon Conway scored an unbeaten 51 and Will Young 41 not out at stumps as they began their reply, looking to set the foundation for a significant first innings lead.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat but were 67-4 at lunch as Henry dismissed their top order cheaply. Zimbabwe, coming off a pair of heavy defeats at home by South Africa in the last six weeks, were unable to put together any significant partnerships with the highest being 54 runs for the sixth wicket between captain Craig Ervine and Tafadzwa Tsiga.

Ervine top scored with 39 before Smith trapped him leg before wicket. The spinner also had Tsiga lbw for 30. New Zealand were without captain Tom Latham, who failed to recover from a shoulder injury, and Kane Williamson, who opted out of the two-test series, leaving Mitchell Santner to take the reins for his first test as captain. (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

(With inputs from agencies.)