Ross Taylor and BJ Watling shared an unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 220 as New Zealand went to tea in complete command on 543 for five and a lead of 379 on day three of the first test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Taylor plundered a 14th test century and is unbeaten on 156, with Watling closing in on three figures on 95 not out on a flat batting wicket.
It makes a mockery of the ease with which New Zealand bowled Zimbabwe out for 164 on the opening day and the lead already looks far too much for the brittle home batting order.
Taylor’s century ended a barren run in his last seven test innings, the first time he has passed 50 since bludgeoning 290 against Australia in Perth in November.
The Zimbabwe bowlers have toiled in the heat and looked devoid of ideas as the tourists comfortably manoeuvred the ball around the ground.
After resuming on 315 for four, nightwatchman Ish Sodhi (11) was the only wicket to fall on day three as he became the first test victim for debutant seamer Michael Chinouya when he edged a catch to replacement wicketkeeper Brian Chari.
[Source:- Reuters]
