ZIM v NZ, 2nd Test Day 2 Review: Williamson and Taylor slam tons

If Day one of the second ZIM v NZ Test was all about the Kiwis on their way to a massive score, day two saw them scale the summit with skipper Kane Williamson completing an impressive and historic century. Ross Taylor also went on to score an impressive ton as the Kiwis declared after almost two days of batting in a score almost touching the 600-run mark. The Zimbabwe openers, however, made amends for their bad bowling by remaining unbeaten at the close of play in spite of the slow run rate.

Day two began with the Kiwis well and truly in control of proceedings when they began the day at 329/2. The morning session was all about Kane Williamson who completed the five runs he required as he joined his elite group of players with centuries against every Test-playing nation. The 27-year old also went on to become yet another New Zealand skipper to add to his list of centuries.

However, despite this, Williamson fell in just the eighth innings of the day when a thick outside edge from his bat found it’s way to Craig Ervine placed at slip. The breakthrough provided an important respite for the hosts as Henry Nicholls was the next to fall. The southpaw failed to capitalize on the opportunity at hand when he was trapped leg before by Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer.

However, as far as the Kiwis were concerned, it was clear that the visitors were not going to throw away their wickets as easily. Ross Taylor, a former skipper who has had his run-ins with coach Mike Hesson showed exactly what he was made of with a wonderful innings, something that would eventually lead him to score an important ton in the grander scheme of things.

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Taylor was supported by wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling who went about scoring an important half-century. The way these two batsmen played, it was clear that they were playing for a spot in the Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and the subsequent tour of India. Taylor completed an important century, an important ton for the 32-year old with his future looking somewhat dim in the grander scheme of things. Shortly after the tea interval, a majority of the Zimbabwe players and Graeme Cremer, in particular, were certainly pleased and relieved when Kane Williamson signaled the declaration despite BJ Watling 17 runs adrift of his ton.

The Zimbabwe openers of Tino Mawoyo and Chamu Chibhabha played out 30 arduous overs as they remained unbeaten at the end of the day’s play.

Brief Scores

New Zealand, 1st innings: 582/4 (T Latham 136; S Williams 1/62)

Zimbabwe, 1st innings: 55/0 (C Chibhabha 31)

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