Early wickets boost New Zealand

BULAWAYO, SEPT. 15. New Zealand took three early wickets in Zimbabwe's second innings to breath new life into the first Test on Friday. At tea on the fourth day, Zimbabwe were 36 for three, a lead of 48 runs after the visitors were dismissed for 338 in their first innings.

Zimbabwe's problems began in the seventh over of its second innings when Gavin Rennie was bowled for two by seamer Chris Cairns.

Stuart Carlisle advanced down the pitch to off-spinner Paul Wiseman and was bowled for 15, followed two balls later by Grant Flower, on three, edging a delivery from left-arm paceman Shayne O'Connor to wicketkeeper Adam Parore to reduce Zimbabwe to 23 for three. At the crease at tea were Alistair Campbell, who has yet to score, and Andy Flower, on 13 not out.

New Zealand was dismissed in the seventh over after lLunch when leg-spinner Paul Strang caught and bowled O'Connor for four to finish with eight for 109, the best figures by a Zimbabwean in a Test innings.

The tourists' total was boosted by the 78 runs shared by Parore and Daniel Vettori, a ninth-wicket record in matches between the two countries. Parore was 32 not out, while Vettori scored 49.

- Reuters

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