ZIM vs NZ 2025, 2nd Test Day 3 Review: Debutant Zakary Foulkes stars in New Zealand's record win over Zimbabwe

New Zealand decimated Zimbabwe on Day 3 of the second Test to register a resounding victory by an innings and 359 runs at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This is New Zealand's biggest victory in Test cricket. This was also Zimbabwe's biggest loss in their history.

The Kiwis had ended the second day in a commanding position on 601/3 as centuries from Devon Conway (153 off 245), Henry Nicholls (150* off 245) and Rachin Ravindra (165* off 139) tested the opposition bowling attack, which could hardly trouble New Zealand's batting unit. 

New Zealand declared their innings ahead of the commencement of the third day's play, and Zimbabwe's task to avoid an innings defeat became even more uphill when Matt Henry uprooted Brian Bennett's (0 off 3) middle stump in the very first over of the second innings. 

Nick Welch, who came out at No. 3, took 10 deliveries to get off the mark. He did so in some style, though, creaming an overpitched delivery from Jacob Duffy past mid-off before Henry scalped his second wicket in the form of Brendon Taylor (7 off 12). Sean Williams (9 off 6) was the third wicket to fall, becoming Duffy's maiden Test wicket. Duffy had bowled 10 overs in the first innings, including five maidens, but had nothing to show for his persistent channels, however, he had a much better time in the second innings. 

Zakary Foulkes was introduced into the attack at the end of the 11th over. Foulkes conceded a boundary apiece in his first two overs. He was involved Craig Ervine's (17 off 31) dismissal as he caught him at third slip off Matthew Fisher. Foulkes soon got into action with the ball, getting rid of Sikandar Raza (4 off 2) with a well-directed short ball. Tafadzwa Tsiga (5 off 12) did not last long after surviving an LBW shout off Matthew Fisher with Foulkes striking again.

While Welch was stood tall, wickets continued to tumble at the other end. By the end of his seventh over, Foulkes had picked up four wickets. Blessing Muzarabani smacked the first six for Zimbabwe in the game before Foulkes got him caught at deep square leg by Mitchell Santner to get his fifer.

The Black Caps registered their biggest Test win when Chivanga (0 off 4) edged Duffy's delivery to gully, leaving Welsh (47 off 71) stranded three short of his fifty. Overall, it was a series to forget for Zimbabwe, as they failed to extend play beyond the third day in both the Test.