Bulawayo, August 17:

Fast bowler Shane Bond completed his first 10-wicket haul as New Zealand wrapped up a 2-0 Test series win over Zimbabwe at Bulaweyo. The visitors won by an innings and 46 runs on the third day of the contest. Zimbabwe needed 253 to make New Zealand bat a second time, but were all out for 207 in their second innings.

Zimbabwe opener Brendan Taylor did his best to delay the inevitable with a brave 77 before being caught by Brendon McCallum off the bowling of Bond. New Zealand, who won the first Test by an innings and 294 runs in Harare, were bowled out for 484 earlier in the day in their reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings of 231.

Bond, who returned career-best figures of 6-51 in Zimbabwe’s first innings, took 4-48 to finish with match figures of 10-99. There were other bright spots for the hosts as well as Taylor’s innings, with Blessing Mahwire scoring his maiden Test half-century in 37 balls. He hit Chris Martin for 21 runs in one over including two sixes and two fours.

The day started with New Zealand adding 30 runs to their overnight 454-7 score. Zimbabwe lost Dion Ebrahim for one and Stuart Carlisle for 10 and were in trouble on 21-2. There was a small recovery before Zimbabwe lost Hamilton Mazakadza (28) after hitting Daniel Vettori for two straight sixes. Craig Wishart was run out for a duck without facing a ball. Taylor, Tatenda Taibu and Mahwire offered some, at times, spectacular resistance but the final outcome was never in doubt.

New Zealand and Zimbabwe will be joined by India next week for a triangular series.