Martin's twin strikes jolt Zimbabwe

WELLINGTON, DEC. 28. New Zealand pace bowler Chris Martin struck twice in nine balls to quickly have Zimbabwe on the back foot in its first innings during the one-off cricket Test at Basin Reserve here on Thursday.

Martin, playing in his fourth Test and first on home soil removed Guy Whittall and Stuart Carlisle within an hour of play resuming on the third day after a lengthy rain delay.

Zimbabwe, in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 487 for seven declared, was 48 for two when bad light ended play shortly before the tea break.

Play was to have continued until 8 p.m. local time, but will instead start an hour early on Friday. Zimbabwe's initial target is to reach 288 to avoid the follow on.

While New Zealand was banking on spinners Paul Wiseman and Brooke Walker bowling it to victory, the slender Martin quickly reproduced the form which saw him take 11 wickets in his debut series in South Africa.

Martin fired a full-length ball through opener Whittall's defences and two runs later deceived Carlisle, who mistimed a shot to short cover, where Matt Horne deflected the ball and did well to snare it at his second attempt.

Carlisle's departure for a duck left Zimbabwe struggling at 23 for two. Martin had figures of two for 15 off eight overs, including six maidens after his opening spell.

New Zealand declared its first innings closed after adding just 12 runs to its overnight score.

About four hours of play was lost after strong northerly winds fanned light rain over the ground for much of the day.

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Section  : Sport
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