NZ's Daryl Mitchell's Strategy For Zimbabwe Test: 'Get A Lead On...'

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-08-01 12:04:35 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-12 18:24:09

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Zimbabwe is trailing by 127 runs and has only 8 wickets left. Will they be able to turn the game around?

It was a subdued dump at the University of Natal as New Zealand extended their lead to 158 runs with half-centuries from Will Young and stand-in skipper, Daryl Mitchell. After bowling Zimbabwe out for just 169, New Zealand ended the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at 312 for seven, with Mitchell and Young scoring 80 and 82 respectively.

Zimbabwe's seamers struggled for potency but the wickets were given courtesy of some terrific catches, with Wellington Masakadza producing a sensational one down low to his left, turning a delivery from fast bowler, Kyle Jarvis around to remove Young. It was Young's second half-century of the match, after his 54 in the first innings, but his dismissal came at a time when he and Mitchell were accelerating New Zealand's advantage.

With the pitch already showing signs of deterioration and Zimbabwe's battery of seamers struggling to make breakthroughs, the hosts will be relying on their spinners, the duo of Brandon Mavuta and Tendai Chisoro, to help them eat into New Zealand's formidable total.

"Get a lead and see how much you can get and then impose some pressure with the ball. Luckily, we've got a good mix of experience and youth in our squad, so we can adapt to the conditions and the pitch as we go," said Mitchell.

New Zealand will be looking to extend their lead past 250 and then unleash their bowling attack with seamers Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, and all-rounder Michael Bracewell, with the experienced Mitchell Santner stepping in for spin. With eight wickets in hand, New Zealand will look to build on a lead that could prove too much for Zimbabwe to overcome.

"I think if we can keep them under 250, we'll be looking good for these last two wickets," said Mitchell. Only time will tell whether Zimbabwe can pull off an astonishing comeback in the final innings.

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