Story by Raynald Ngwarati
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s cricket team, the Chevrons, have once again suffered a humiliating series whitewash, after losing to New Zealand by an innings and 359 runs in the second and final Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo this Saturday.
After losing by an innings and 236 runs to South Africa last month, the Chevrons’ capacity to compete at the highest level was put in the spotlight again this Saturday as they lost another Test match inside three days, this time being massacred by New Zealand in a one-way Test match.
Resuming the day with a declaration after amassing a lead of 476 runs, the Black Caps of New Zealand switched momentum from their batting to a razor-sharp bowling display that troubled the Chevrons’ batsmen, as only two got past double figures to highlight the Chevrons’ recent struggles.
New Zealand were merciless in their charge, needing just three deliveries to break the Chevrons’ opening stand as Brian Bennett was bowled out by the player of the series, Matt Henry, for a duck, with nought on the scoreboard.
It was just a matter of time before Henry struck once again, this time removing the experienced Brendan Taylor in the fifth over for seven runs, to leave Zimbabwe reeling on 11 runs for the loss of two wickets.
Thirteen runs later, it was the turn of veteran all-rounder Sean Williams to be sent packing, caught and bowled by Jacob Duffy, as the Chevrons’ top order found no answers to the bowling.
The skipper Craig Ervine stepped in to assist the Chevrons’ lone tower, Nicholas Welch, but he too was back in the hut after managing just 17 runs, as an innings defeat started to look inevitable.
The introduction of 23-year-old Zakary Foulkes into the attack then quickened the losing process for Zimbabwe, as the right-arm medium pacer shredded the Chevrons with figures of five wickets for 37 runs in just nine overs.
Although Welch was unbeaten on 47, a milestone was beyond reach for him as he ran out of partners, with Zimbabwe bowled out for just 117 runs to gift New Zealand a two-nil Test series whitewash.
