Matt Henry starred with figures of 6-39 as New Zealand bowled out Zimbabwe for 149 on the opening day of the first Test. New Zealand now hold a strong position heading into day two.

Nathan Smith supported with 3-20, while Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine top-scored with a gritty 39. Devon Conway (51*) and Will Young (41*) guided New Zealand to 92/0 at stumps, capitalizing on the platform set by their bowlers.

Conway reached his fifty in the penultimate over of the day, his first Test half-century since he made 76 against India in Pune last October. Seven innings since then had yielded a highest score of 22.

Henry credited the collective bowling effort and praised Conway and Young for weathering early movement. He emphasized the importance of patience on a responsive pitch. Zimbabwe had brief resistance through partnerships involving Ervine, Welch, and Tsiga, but fell apart post-lunch. Conway’s half-century was his first in seven innings.