New Zealand produced a “ruthless” batting performance on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

The Black Caps were 601-3 at the close in reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 125, a lead of 476 runs.

“We wanted to be ruthless with the bat, build partnerships and put bowlers under pressure. It was a fantastic day for us,” said Devon Conway, who ended a 16-Test streak without a century by scoring 153.

Henry Nicholls, playing in his first Test series since December 2023, made 150*, while Rachin Ravindra hammered 165* at better than a run a ball.

Conway made four centuries in his first 12 Tests, including a double century on debut against England, but had not reached three figures since scoring 122 against Pakistan in Karachi in January 2023.

A career average in the mid-50s after 12 Tests had dropped to just over 37 before this Test and he had been dropped during a series against England last December.

He had also not been in the original squad for a T20I triangular series in Zimbabwe ahead of the Test series but made a successful return, which included innings of 59* and 47.

“I’m just grateful to be part of the group again, getting the opportunity in the white-ball as well as the red-ball,” said Conway. “I’m really enjoying my time on and off the field so to contribute is a bonus.”

It was another day of one-sided cricket after the Black Caps resumed on 174-1, already 49 runs ahead. It took Zimbabwe an hour to remove nightwatchman Jacob Duffy, who made 36.

The rest of the day brought only one more wicket, that of Conway, who fell to the second new ball when he misjudged the bounce against Blessing Muzarabani and was bowled off his body.

Nicholls was on 64 when Ravindra joined him after Conway’s dismissal. Ravindra, a left-hander like the other two centurions, quickly went on the attack and by the close had overtaken his partner.

Ravindra reached his century off 104 balls. With stand-in captain Mitch Santner opting not to declare despite having a significant lead, Ravindra went on the rampage towards the close, adding another 65 runs off just 35 balls.

Zimbabwe fast bowlers Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, usually the team’s most effective bowlers, were both expensive. Muzarabani took one for 101 in 24 overs while Chivanga went wicketless in conceding 94 runs off 17 overs.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket