New Zealand cricket team in Zimbabwe in 2016

International cricket tour

The New Zealand cricket team toured Zimbabwe in July and August 2016 to play two Test matches.^[1][2] Both Test matches took place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.^[3] They were the first Tests for Zimbabwe since they toured Bangladesh at the end of 2014.^[4] New Zealand won the two-match series 2–0.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) monitored unrest that was happening in Zimbabwe before the tour started, including nationwide strikes and protests.^[5] There were no plans to delay the team's departure for the series and the New Zealand squad arrived in the country on July 20 as scheduled.^[6] Zimbabwe fans were asked to join a peaceful protest during the second Test of the series in support of the #thisflag movement.^[7]

Squads

Tendai Chatara was ruled out of Zimbabwe's squad with an ankle injury which he got in the warm-up match. Michael Chinouya was named as his replacement.^[10]

Tour match

Three-day: Zimbabwe A v New Zealanders

• New Zealanders won the toss and elected to bat.
• 16 players per side, 11 batting, 11 fielding.

Test series

1st Test

• Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
• Chamu Chibhabha, Michael Chinouya and Prince Masvaure (all Zim) made their Test debuts.
• Michael Gough (Eng) stood in his first Test match as an umpire.^[11]
• Chamu Chibhabha played in the most ODIs for Zimbabwe before making his Test debut (96).^[12]
• Neil Wagner (NZ) took his best figures in a Test with 6/41.^[13]
• Trent Boult (NZ) took his 150th Test wicket.^[14]
• Sean Williams (Zim) scored his maiden Test century and the fastest century for a Zimbabwe player.^[15]

2nd Test

• New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat.
• Peter Moor (Zim) made his Test debut.
• Kane Williamson (NZ) became the thirteenth batsman to score a century against all the other Test playing nations. He completed this in the fewest innings, the quickest time from his Test debut and became the youngest player to achieve this feat.^[16]
• Craig Ervine (Zim) scored his maiden Test century.^[17]
• This was New Zealand's biggest win in terms of runs in a Test match.^[18]

References

1. "Cricket Schedule 2016: Fixtures and dates of all major series and matches of the New Year". International Business Times. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
2. "Cricket: Please save us from groundhog day". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
3. "Bulawayo to host first Test in five years". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
4. "Zimbabwe have waited too long for Tests - Ntini". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
5. "NZC monitoring social situation in Zimbabwe ahead of tour". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
6. "New Zealand arrive in Zimbabwe for two-Test series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
7. "Zimbabwe fans asked to stage protest during second Test". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
8. "Cremer to lead Zimbabwe in Tests against New Zealand". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN Sports Media. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
9. "Raval earns NZ call, Sodhi returns". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN Sports Media. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
10. "Chatara ruled out of New Zealand Tests with ankle injury". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN Sports Media. 24 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
11. "Zimbabwe bat on Bulawayo's Test return". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
12. "Players who have featured in the most ODIs before their Test debut". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
13. "Wagner's career-best figures, and Tiripano's record at No. 10". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
14. "More centuries as NZ punish Zimbabwe". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
15. "New Zealand cruise to innings win despite Williams' stoic ton". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
16. "Williamson racks up the records". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
17. "Ervine ton stalls dominant New Zealand". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
18. "Zimbabwe's sixth straight loss to New Zealand". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 10 August 2016.

External links

• Series home at ESPN Cricinfo