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Wellington
26 - 30 December 2000
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first on what looked to be a very flat wicket. Zimbabwe struck early, dismissing Horne (1) with the total on 5 and then Sinclair (9) to see the home team 2 for 22. After the life in the pitch faded, New Zealand recovered to go to lunch at 2 for 63 with the match evenly balanced. Early in the afternoon session the Richardson managed to strand his captain Fleming (22) in mid pitch to be 3 for 67. However, thereafter the New Zealanders ground out the runs without further loss to go to tea at 3 for 129. Richardson (75), himself a victim of a run out, was the only batsman dismissed in the evening session as New Zealand was 4 for 190 at stumps.
Zimbabwe failed to break through on the second morning as Astle and McMillan moved the score to 4 for 279 at lunch, maintaining their scoring rate of 2 runs per over. Both batsmen passed their centuries in the afternoon session before McMillan (142) was dismissed before the tea break when the total was 367 to end the record fifth wicket partnership of 222 runs for New Zealand. Zimbabwe struck again in the evening session as they dismissed Astle (141) for the home team to be 6 for 475 and seemingly in control of the Test.
New Zealand continued on a rain affected third morning. Over four hours play was lost and New Zealand declared at 7 for 487 after Parore had reached his 50 not out. Strang was the most successful bowler with 3 for 116 off 46 overs. With a follow on target of 287 as its first obstacle, Zimbabwe lost Whittall (9) and then Carlisle (0) to slump to 2 for 23. When the extended last session finished early due to bad light, Zimbabwe had recovered to be 2 for 48, still needing 239 runs to avoid the follow on.
New Zealand dismissed Campbell (24) in the session before lunch on day four and then ran into a brick wall called Andy Flower. Failing to lose another wicket, the Zimbabwe batsmen went to lunch at 3 for 145. New Zealand dismissed Flower (79) before the tea break as Zimbabwe moved to 4 for 207 and within sight of the follow on target of 287. New Zealand dismissed Rennie (93) in the evening session before Zimbabwe passed the follow target and at stumps they were 5 for 288 and the Test seemingly headed for an inevitable draw with one day's play remaining.
Zimbabwe batted for an hour on the final morning before declaring at 6 for 340 giving New Zealand a first innings lead of 147 runs. Martin was the most successful bowler with 5 for 71 off 32.5 overs. New Zealand compiled a total of 4 for 153 runs scoring a 3.8 runs per over. Top scorer was Fleming (55) while Streak, Strang and Murphy each claimed one wicket for Zimbabwe. This left Zimbabwe a target of 301 runs for victory in 43 overs at seven runs per over. Zimbabwe declined to chase this target and when the Test ended after the last drinks session Zimbabwe were 2 for 60 with Rennie (37) the top scorer and O'Connor and Wiseman each taking a wicket.
