The second Test match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand, taking place at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo witnessed a thrilling display of class and control from the visitors. Building on their commanding first Test victory, New Zealand continued their dominance with a steadfast batting and bowling performance that swept Zimbabwe into a tight corner. The standout moment of Day 2 was undoubtedly Devon Conway’s spectacular century—a masterful and much-needed innings that brought New Zealand to a commanding position in the match.
Devon Conway shines bright with a spectacular ton on Day 2
After a patchy form spell that saw him dropped from the Test side, Conway ended his century drought in the most glorious fashion. On Day 2, Conway reached a magnificent 100 with a crisp, firm straight drive to the left of mid-off off Zimbabwe’s pace bowler Blessing Muzarabani. This was his fifth Test century and first since January 2, 2023, marking the end of a difficult dry spell for the talented opener. The milestone was greeted with an eruption of applause from the crowd as Conway removed his helmet and soaked in the adulation—a testament to his resilience and craft.
Conway’s innings was composed, powerful, and highly effective, boasting 14 boundaries in his unbeaten 110 off 162 balls. He played with confidence off the back foot, expertly negotiating Zimbabwe’s seam attack. This innings underlined his ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when the moment called for it, consolidating a strong foundation for New Zealand’s first innings. His partnership with Will Young was pivotal, the pair putting on 162 runs for the opening wicket—New Zealand’s third-highest opening stand against Zimbabwe and the first century partnership for the opening pair since 2022.
Also READ: ZIM vs NZ: Fans react as New Zealand dominate Day 1 with Matt Henry’s fifer and openers’ commanding stand in the second Test
Here’s how fans reacted:
5⃣th Test hundred for Devon Conway #Cricket #ZIMvsNZ #devonconway pic.twitter.com/TV9ft3hCvF
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 8, 2025
Devon Conway is now in the top group of @BLACKCAPS opening batsmen test century makers, albeit a long way off the top two.
13 T Latham
12 J Wright
7 G Turner
4 B Sutcliffe, M Horne, M Richardson
3 G Dowling, B Edgar, D Conway#ZIMvNZ— Francis Payne (@FPayne100) August 8, 2025
Devon Conway smashes a classy century against Zimbabwe #ZIMvsNZpic.twitter.com/wpdkroP5w7
— scoreCard (@scoredotCard) August 8, 2025
Devon Conway gets to his first Test ton since January 2023, as NZ’s lead grows over 100!#ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/0xACxzF7rJ
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) August 8, 2025
5th Test 100 for Devon Conway, First since 2023
100 run lead for New Zealand #ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/L9IPQh8tAz
— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) August 8, 2025
Test Hundred for Devon Conway after almost 2.5 years
He got out on 88 in the first test and missed out on a century but this time he didn’t miss the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/J9Yp0BV1AE
— Cricket Daily (@DailyCriicket) August 8, 2025
International Hundred For Devon Conway After 50 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨. pic.twitter.com/F5IMBwQOkq
— H U S Nain (@H11USNAIN) August 8, 2025
Devon Conway scores his First International Century after 2 years pic.twitter.com/P64D4szYYY
— Aryan Goel (@Aryan42832Goel) August 8, 2025
Test hundred No.5 for Devon Conway #ZIMvNZ pic.twitter.com/29Ttvf7BkO
— Aman (@Amanriz78249871) August 8, 2025
What a player Devon Conway is… An amazing Talent #ZIMvsNZ pic.twitter.com/2hChtMxMlv
— Vishwanath Hariharan (@hariharanwrites) August 8, 2025
New Zealand’s commanding grip over Zimbabwe in the second Test
Zimbabwe’s innings had already crumbled under the pressure from New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, led by the fiery Matt Henry. Henry ripped through the Zimbabwe batting lineup with a devastating 5 for 40, supported by debutants Zakary Foulkes (4-38), Jacob Duffy, and Matthew Fisher. Zimbabwe was bowled out for a mere 125 runs, struggling with technique and unable to build partnerships. Zimbabwe’s experienced batter Brendan Taylor top-scored with 44 but could not stem the collapse. The rest of the side faltered under the accurate New Zealand seam attack, which exploited early movement and kept tight lines throughout the innings.
In reply, New Zealand’s openers quickly surpassed Zimbabwe’s total and moved into a strong position by stumps on Day 1 with 174 runs for 1 wicket. With Conway unbeaten on 79 alongside the nightwatchman Jacob Duffy, New Zealand secured a 49-run lead. On Day 2, this dominance translated into a bigger score of 235/2 wickets after 52.2 overs till Drinks of the first session, leading Zimbabwe by 110 runs. The calm and composed batting from Conway and Young set the tone, while the rest of the batting order awaited their turn with a solid base laid.
Also WATCH: Craig Ervine grabs a stunning juggling catch to dismiss Rachin Ravindra on Day 2 of the first Test
