New Zealand completed a dominant victory, by an innings and 359 runs, over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, securing a 2-0 series clean sweep.
In response to Zimbabwe’s first-innings total of 125, New Zealand declared at 601-3, securing their second-largest first-innings lead (476 runs) in Test history. Their 12th Test score of 600-plus runs was powered by three 150-plus scores: Devon Conway (153), Henry Nicholls (150*) and Rachin Ravindra (165*). This trio equalled the world record for most 150-plus scores (3) by batters in a single Test innings, matching feats achieved by England (1938) and India (1986).
Only the third time in history that a Test innings featured three 150+ scores, the first time for the BLACKCAPS.
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 9, 2025
Rachin Ravindra (165*) Henry Nicholls (150*) Devon Conway (153)#ZIMvNZ #CricketNation 📷 = Zimbabwe Cricket pic.twitter.com/rTa9qqRxf3
Zimbabwe failed to put up a fight in their second innings as well, skittled for 117 as debutant Zak Foulkes claimed 5-37. His match figures of 9-75 now stand as the best ever by a New Zealand Test debutant, surpassing Will O’Rourke’s 9-93 against South Africa at Hamilton in 2023/24.
Biggest margin of victory (by an innings) in Tests, full list
New Zealand’s 359-run innings victory is now the third-largest win margin in Test history, narrowly missing India’s second-place record of a 360-run innings win against South Africa (Johannesburg, 2002). The all-time record remains England’s innings-and-579-run victory over Australia in the 1938 Ashes at The Oval.
New Zealand also feature twice more in the top ten Test victory margins, holding ninth place for their 301-run innings win against Zimbabwe at Napier in 2012 and tenth position for their 294-run innings victory over Zimbabwe at Harare in 2005.
The West Indies are the only other team to feature three times in the top 10: fourth (innings and 336 runs vs India, 1958), seventh (innings and 322 runs vs New Zealand, 1995), and eighth (innings and 310 runs vs Bangladesh, 2002).
Image credit: Zimbabwe Cricket
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