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Bongani Ndlovu @bonganinkunzi
A GUTSY ninth wicket stand of 85 runs between tailenders Donald Tiripano and Prince Masvaure rescued Zimbabwe from a potentially embarrassing first innings score on day one of the first Test against New Zealand at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.

Zimbabwe were bundled out for 164 runs in 77.5 overs at an average of 2.1 runs per over. New Zealand were on 32 without loss at stumps, with Martin Guptil on 14 and Tom Latham on 16.

Tiripano was one run short of his maiden half century as he ran out of partners after Masvaure was trapped leg before wicket by Tim Southee for 42.

The chief destroyer was New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner, who tore into Zimbabwe’s top order batsmen to end with career best figures of six wickets for 41 runs in the long format of the game.

The New Zealand attack employed the short ball, which troubled Zimbabwe’s batsmen on a flat wicket.

At 72-8, Zimbabwe looked destined to break their lowest Test score at Queens Sports Club of 104 until Tiripano and Masvaure went about repairing the damage.

The tailenders plucked away at the New Zealand bowling attack trying to mend the hosts’ already tattered innings.

Tiripano said they wanted to stay at the crease for as long as possible with debutant Masvaure.

“When we lost eight wickets, I just told Donald that we’ve to stay positive and if it’s there to score we take that opportunity. We made sure we didn’t go out with the short ball because a lot of guys were getting out while playing the short ball,” said Tiripano.

Masvaure encouraged his teammates in the top order to work on staying at the crease longer in the second innings.

Wagner praised his team’s bowling attack. “It’s quite a nice day to get career best figures. This is an opportunity to play Test cricket and get results and do well for your team, and it’s really pleasing. I thought the other guys bowled well and as a whole team we were outstanding and that gave me an opportunity to do what I did,” said Wagner.

He gave credit to Tiripano and Masvaure for their resilience at the crease.

“They batted well and showed a lot of patience and a lot of heart, and made it hard for us on an unresponsive wicket,” Wagner said.

He said their strategy was to cast doubt in Zimbabwe’s ability to play the short ball.

“We tried to get players off the front foot and tried to get opportunities to get a wicket. Get some doubt in their foot work and get a nick. The wicket being flat, you obviously have to try some options to create the result, and luckily it worked,” said Wagner.

Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer had earlier won the toss in the morning and elected to bat. Brian Chari and Chamunorwa Chibhabha were still trying to get a feel of the crease when Tim Southee struck with the second ball of the innings to remove Chari. This was just after he had hit Southee for four with the first ball.

Masakadza came to the crease, but it wasn’t long before Chibhabha fell to Wagner for 15, caught at midwicket by Tom Latham, with 35 runs on the board for Zimbabwe.

Next to go was Masakadza, who was caught and bowled by paceman Santner for 15.

Sean Williams departed for a single run leaving Zimbabwe hobbling on 36-4. Williams attempted to lob a short ball from Wagner, but found the grateful hands of Inderbir Singh “Ish” Sodhi at midwicket.

Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza put on 36 runs for the fifth wicket, which was Zimbabwe’s second highest partnership, before a middle order collapse.

Ervine went for 13, with the score on 72-5. Wagner went on to take the three wickets of Raza for 22, Regis Chakabva and captain Cremer for ducks to leave the hosts reeling on 72-8.

Tiripano and Masvaure then went on to restore a bit of respectability with their 85-run partnership.