Cairns’ century put Kiwis on top

It was New Zealand’s biggest score against Zimbabwe in their 10 clashes, and it effectively eliminates any prospect of the home side winning the match and squaring the series, with them having lost the first Test in Bulawayo by seven wickets last week.

In reply, during an awkward final hour, Zimbabwe were 31-1, losing Gavin Rennie for four. Grant Flower on 11 and Stuart Carlisle (15) saw out the day.

Cairns’s 124 was two short of his best in Test cricket. He hit three sixes and 13 fours and needed only 172 balls for his fourth century. When he reached 71 he achieved a personal Test career landmark of 2,500.

He also figured with Dion Nash in new record eighth wicket partnership of 144.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand (1st innings): M Richardson lbw b Nkala 99, C Spearman c A Flower b Olonga 2, M Sinclair c Carlisle b H Olonga 44, S Fleming c Campbell b Mbangwa 9, N Astle run out (Mbangwa) 86, C McMillan lbw b Mbangwa 15, C Cairns st A Flower b Strang 124, A Parore c A Flower B Olonga 4, D Nash c G Flower b Strang 62, P Wiseman not out 1, S O’Connor c Whittall b G Flower 2, Extras (lb3, w2, nb12) 17, Total (all out in 160.3 overs) 465.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-69, 3-91, 4-226, 5-256, 6-302, 7-318, 8-462, 9-462

Bowling: Olonga 27-5-115-3, Streak 29-6-74-0, Nkala 15-0-60-1, Mbangwa 28-10-58-2, Strang 38-11-80-2, G Flower 20.3-6-59-1, Rennie 3-0-16-0.

Zimbabwe (1st innings): G Flower batting 11, G Rennie c C Spearman b S O’Connor 4, S Carlisle batting 15, Extras (b1) 1, Total (for one wicket, 17 overs) 31
Fall of wickets: 1-5

Bowling: Cairns 5-3-4-1, O’Connor 6-2-9-0, Nash 4-1-14-0, McMillan 2-0-3-0.