New Zealand thrash Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs to register their biggest victory in test cricket

New Zealand completed a 2-0 whitewash in the two-match test series against Zimbabwe.

New Zealand Cricket Team scripted a marvellous record against Zimbabwe Cricket Team in the second and last test of the two-match series. Winning the encounter by a huge margin of an innings and 359 runs, the Black Caps have registered their biggest win in the longest format of the game.

The Kiwis were led by Mitchell Santner in the two-match series against Zimbabwe in the absence of injured test skipper Tom Latham. The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first in the encounter, which took place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

They were bowled out for just 125 runs in the first innings as none of their batters managed to score a fifty. Matt Henry stole a five-wicket haul while Zakary Foulkes clinched a four-wicket haul to demolish Zimbabwe’s batting line-up.

Later, Devon Conway (153), Henry Nicholls (150*), and Rachin Ravindra (165) hammered centuries to power New Zealand to 601/3d in the first innings. Trailing by 476 runs in the second innings, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 117 runs, facing a batting collapse. They lost the encounter by an innings and 359 runs. Foulkes captured a fifer in the second innings.

Notably, New Zealand’s previous biggest victory in test cricket also came against Zimbabwe. In 2012, they crushed Zimbabwe by an innings and 301 runs. Below are the top five biggest victories by New Zealand in test cricket.

Top five Biggest victories by New Zealand in test cricket

1. Innings & 359 runs vs Zimbabwe (Aug 2025)
2. Innings & 301 runs vs Zimbabwe (Jan 2012)
3. Innings & 294 runs vs Zimbabwe (Aug 2005)
4. Innings & 276 runs vs South Africa (Feb 2022)
5. Innings & 185 runs vs Pakistan (Mar 2001)

New Zealand opener Devon Conway won Player of the Match award in the second test, while pacer Matt Henry was adjudged Player of the series for picking 16 wickets across two matches.

The Mitchell Santner-led side registered a whitewash in the two-match series. Earlier, the visitors won the opening game by nine wickets. The series was not part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

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