Zimbabwe’s NZ Test heading for draw

Needing 288 to avoid follow on, the tourists ended the day on that very total of 288 losing half the side when stumps were drawn at the Basin Reserve.

Debutant Doug Marillier was on 26 and Trevor Madondo on 44.

Resuming at 48-2 , they suffered an early setback when Alistair Campbell was adjudged leg before wicket to Chris Martin with the score on 66.

However, opener Gavin Rennie and leading batsman Andy Flower held the New Zealand attack at bay, adding a record stand of 130 for the fourth wicket against the home side.

The pair comfortably handled the spin attack of Paul Wiseman and Brooke Walker.

Although Flower’s departure gave New Zealand renewed hopes working through the order, Rennie remained rock-solid.

He seemed destined to score his maiden Test century, but with just seven required he edged a ball from Craig McMillan to Parore.

Rennie batted for 403 minutes, faced 323 balls and scored 10 fours.

Chris Martin was on course for Test-best figures, ending the day with 4-45 off 26 overs.

He took 4-104 against South Africa in the second Test at Port Elizabeth earlier this month.

Walker finished a disappointing day with 0- 68 off 22 overs while Wiseman also went wicketless, conceding 106 off 48 overs.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings) 487-7 decl

Zimbabwe (1st innings) G Rennie c Parore b McMillan 93, G Whittall b Martin 9, S Carlisle c Horne b Martin 0, A Campbell lbw b Martin 24, A Flower c Parore b Martin 79, T Madondo batting 44, D Marillier batting 26; Extras:

(b3, lb8, nb2) 13; Total (for 5 wickets in 126 overs) 288

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-23, 3-66, 4-196, 5-237.

Bowling: Martin 26-11-45-4, O’Connor 16-7-29-0, Wiseman 48-11-106-0, Walker 22-1-68-0, McMillan 9-4-22-1, Astle 5-2-7-0.