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SHOWING THE WAY . . . Zimbabwe debutante Prince Masvaure sets off for a run during his impressive show on the first day of the first cricket Test against New Zealand at Queens yesterday. — AFP

Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
A COURAGEOUS batting effort by debutante Prince Masvaure and tail-ender Donald Tiripano took Zimbabwe to a fairly decent total after New Zealand left arm seamer Neil Wagner ran through the Chevrons’ batting line up on the opening day of the first Test at Queens yesterday.

Tiripano, in to bat at number 10, top scored with his best score in Test cricket of 49 runs not out off 162 deliveries, struck six fours and one six in 171 minutes spent at the crease.

Masvaure was second best with a 98-ball 42, hitting seven fours in 166 minutes in the middle with the two putting on 85 runs for the ninth wicket as they shamed their batting specialists.

Zimbabwe, who won the toss, opted to make first use of the batting track and recovered from 72 for eight to post 164 runs in 77.5 overs.

Wagner picked up a career best six wickets for 41 runs in 20.5 overs, eight of those being maidens at an economy rate of 1.97 runs per over as he ripped through the Zimbabwean batting order.

At the end of the first day’s proceedings, New Zealand had progressed to 32 runs for no loss, still trailing Zimbabwe by 132.

Tom Latham was unbeaten on 16 runs while his opening partner Martin Guptil was not out on 14.

Zimbabwe did not enjoy a great start, Brian Chari gone for four in the first over, removed by pace bowler Tim Southee, Martin Gutptil with the catch.

Chamunorwa Chibhabha fell to Neil Wagner, Tom Latham with the catch.

It was soon 35 for 3, Hamilton Masakadza caught and bowled by left arm spinner Mitchel Santner for 15 off 52 deliveries with two fours.

Zimbabwe added just a run before Sean Williams went for one run, dismissed by Wagner, caught by Ish Sodhi but television replays showed that the ball came off his helmet as it popped up to the fielder and the Zimbabwean left hander was not supposed to have been given out.

Zimbabwe had progressed to 49 for four in 26 overs at a scoring rate of almost two runs per over.

Craig Ervine went in the sixth over after lunch, charging down a delivery from Santner to be stumped by Bradley-John Watling for 13.

Wagner picked up his third wicket, Sikandar Raza taken at mid wicket by Latham for 22 runs.

Regis Chakabva perished for a three ball duck, taken behind by Watling for Wagner to pick up his fourth wicket.

Skipper Graeme Cremer gloved one to close fielder Henry Nicholls to take the walk of shame back to the changing room for a first ball duck and give Wagner his five wicket haul.

Masvaure and Tiripano then knitted the highest partnership for Zimbabwe’s innings.

By time of the tea break, Zimbabwe had progressed to 120 for eight in 55 overs, Masvaure unbeaten on 20 with Tiripano also not out on 28 runs.

With his maiden Test half century beckoning, Masvaure was trapped leg before by Southee to bring an end to his partnership with Tiripano.

Wagner picked up his sixth wicket when he bowled last batsman in Michael Chinouya for one run to finish off Zimbabwe’s innings and deny Tiripano his maiden Test half century.

The Zimbabwean bowlers have to be on top of their game if they are to prevent the Black Caps from posting a massive first innings score when the match enters its second day this morning.

Score

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

New Zealand 32-0 10 overs (Latham 16*, Guptil 14*)

New Zealand trail by 132 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the first innings