Sawt Falasteen - Mitchell keeps New Zealand on top against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe were 31 for two at the close, still 127 runs short of making New Zealand bat again.

It was a disappointing end to the day for the home side, who fought back strongly before Mitchell re-asserted New Zealand's control.

Fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga extracted pace and bounce from the pitch as New Zealand slipped from their overnight 92 for no wicket to 233 for seven in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 149.

Muzarabani had Will Young caught at short leg for 41 off the first ball of the day and followed up with two more wickets to finish with three for 73.

Chivanga (two for 51) dismissed top-scorer Devon Conway (88) and Tom Blundell in successive overs as Zimbabwe entertained hopes of restricting New Zealand’s lead to around 100.

But Nathan Smith provided dogged support for Mitchell as the pair batted through until tea and then saw off the second new ball.

The pair added 61 runs before Smith was forced to retire hurt with an abdominal injury after scoring 22 off 79 balls. Smith did not field when Zimbabwe started their second innings, which suggested the injury could prevent him from bowling on Friday.

Mitchell was last man out after facing 119 balls and hitting five fours and a six.

Faced with just under an hour to bat until the close, Zimbabwe made a promising start, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran putting on 25 for the first wicket.

But Matt Henry, who took six for 39 in the first innings, made the breakthrough with a bouncer to Curran (11) which the left-hander top-edged to fine leg.

Five balls later Will O'Rourke had Bennett caught behind for 18, leaving Zimbabwe with a massive task if they are to take the match into a fourth day, let alone avoiding their seventh defeat in nine Test matches since last December.

M.AbuKhalil--SF-PST