Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
A WELL-CRAFTED century by opening batsman Thomas Latham and a big contribution from skipper Kane Williamson put New Zealand in firm control over Zimbabwe on Day Two of the first cricket Test at Queens here yesterday.

Latham made 105, his fourth Test hundred from 210 deliveries in 301 minutes spent in the middle during which he struck 12 fours, put on 156 for the second wicket with Williamson who fell for 91 runs off 179 balls.

His innings made up of nine fours in 241 minutes in the middle as New Zealand compiled 315 for the loss of four wickets in 100 overs in their first innings.

That put the visitors 151 runs in front after they blew away Zimbabwe for 164 in their first innings.

In what was a remarkable achievement, Tom emulated his father Rodney who also scored a century in a Test in the City of Kings, Latham senior scoring 119 runs against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo Athletic Club in November 1992 in a drawn match.

On a day of hard toiling in the sun for the Zimbabwean fielders, their bowlers only managed four wickets in the 90 overs bowled on the second day in which New Zealand scored 283 runs.

New Zealand headed into the second day on 32 for no loss, Latham and Guptil the two batsmen at the crease.

Chamunorwa Chibhabha, in his fourth over in Test cricket, found the breakthrough for Zimbabwe in the 16th over of the day when he removed Martin Guptil, taken at gully by Craig Ervine for 40 runs off 88 deliveries, an innings made up of seven fours.

New Zealand did not suffer any further loses before the lunch break as they moved to 102 for one in 36 overs. Latham was unbeaten on 47 runs with Williamson also not out on seven with the Kiwis still behind by 62 runs. Latham and Williamson reached their half centuries during the second session.

Zimbabwean captain Graeme Cremer started causing anxious moments with some serious turn of the ball, but New Zealand did not suffer any loss of wickets on their way to 214 for one in 67 overs heading into the tea interval with a first innings lead of 50 runs.

After 292 minutes at the crease during which he faced up to 200 deliveries, 11 of those despatched for boundaries, Latham reached his fourth Test century with a squeezed single off the bowling of Cremer.

Williamson survived on 72 when he got an edge off Cremer’s bowling, Sikandar Raza seemed to take the catch at first slip, but the on field umpires left the decision to television umpire Langton Rusere who gave the New Zealand not out.

Part-time medium pace bowler Hamilton Masakadza claimed Zimbabwe’s second wicket, Latham taken behind by wicket-keeper Brian Chari.

Cremer finally got his wicket, Williamson getting an edge into the hands of Masakadza at first slip, the Black Caps skipper falling nine runs short of what would have been his 14th Test hundred.

Zimbabwe put the second new ball to good use, Tiripano forcing Henry Nicholls to edge behind to be taken by Chari to depart for 18 runs.

Ross Taylor was not out on 38 runs while night watchman Inderbir Sodhi was also unconquered with five runs.

The match heads into the third day this morning with the visitors looking to extend their lead while for Zimbabwe, the bowlers will go out to get the remaining six wickets before the tourists post a huge total.

Scores

Zimbabwe: 164 all out 77.5 overs (Tiripano 49*, Masvaure 42, Wagner 6/41)

New Zealand: 315-4 100 overs (Latham 105, Williamson 91, Chibhabha 1/22, Masakadza 1/25)

New Zealand lead by 151 runs with six first innings wickets remaining

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