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Bongani Ndlovu @bonganinkunzi
NEW Zealand top order batsmen Tom Latham (105) and captain Kane Williamson (91) yesterday dominated the Zimbabwean bowling attack as they guided their team to post a commanding 315/4 at the close of the second day of the first test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The Black Caps’ top order, unlike their Zimbabwean counterparts were patient and deliberate as they steadily paced their first innings to quickly erase the Zimbabwean score of 164 all out.

Latham and Martin Guptil had an overnight score of 32 runs and set out to build a partnership. They two only added 47 runs before Guptil was dismissed for 40 by part-time bowler Chamunorwa Chibhabha with the score at 79.

In came skipper Williamson joining Latham and the two piled 156 for the second wicket, the highest so far in the innings.

The Zimbabwean bowling attack lacked the purchase to find a chink in the Black Caps’ batting attack as it was depleted because off-spinner Sean Williams fell ill, ruling him out for the day.

Captain Graeme Cremer had to rely on his part-time bowlers Chibhabha, Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza to complement his strike bowlers Donald Tiripano and Michael Chinouya.

Cremer had to bowl 26 overs out of the 100 overs on a wicket that towards the end of the day was offering turn for spinners.

It was the part time bowlers that took the vital wickets as Chibhabha gave Zimbabwe the breakthrough dismissing Guptil with a late out-swinger edging it to Craig Ervine who was fielding at gully.

Zimbabwe top order batsman got Latham out, caught by stand in keeper Brian Chari with the New Zealand score at 235.

The next wicket was a battle of captains as Cremer got the better of Williamson turning the ball away from him as he edged it to Masakadza at first slip.

Creamer acknowledged that they had a difficult day in the field but was happy they managed to take four wickets.

“I knew we were one front line seamer short and I had to do the bulk of the bowling. It was a tough day obviously but we got four wickets,” said Cremer.

He said they would try to subdue the Black Caps’ batting as much and as long as possible.