New Zealand sitting pretty

HARARE, SEPT. 20. Zimbabwe struck again with the last ball of a session as New Zealand went to lunch on 302 for six on the second day of the second Test on Wednesday.

Medium pacer Mpumelelo Mbangwa trapped Craig McMillan lbw for 15 with the last delivery before the interval.

On Tuesday, opener Mark Richardson suffered a similar fate on 99 at the hands of fast bowler Mluleki Nkala with what became the final delivery of the first day.

McMillan's dismissal ended a sixth-wicket stand of 46 with Chris Cairns, who was 33 not out at lunch.

It was the home side's second success of the morning after New Zealand resumed at the overnight 226 for four.

Poor running between the wickets probably cost Nathan Astle his sixth Test century. He jogged towards the safety of the crease in attempting to take a second run 45 minutes into the day's play, but Mbangwa's throw from deep backward square leg ran him out for 86.

Astle batted 241 minutes in which he faced 197 balls and hit 10 fours and a six.

New Zealand won the first Test of the two-match encounter by seven wickets.

- Reuters

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Section  : Sport
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