BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (AP) New Zealand immediately took control on the first morning of the first test against Zimbabwe on Thursday, finding a wicket in the first over and reducing the host to 49-4 at lunch.
Tim Southee removed Brian Chari second ball of the match, and Neil Wagner claimed 2-8 off seven overs as Zimbabwe struggled on its return to test cricket after nearly two years without playing a five-day game.
Wagner dismissed Chamu Chibhaha for 15 and Sean Williams for 1, and three Zimbabwe wickets fell in the space of three overs near the end of the first session. Mitchell Santner had 1-11.
Both teams are playing under new captains, with Kane Williamson taking charge of the Black Caps and Graeme Cremer leading the home team. Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first.
