Bulawayo, August 15:

Zimbabwe fought back to have New Zealand at 48 for two at stumps after making 231 on the first day of the second Test at Queens Sports Club on Monday. James Marshall was caught at gully off the bowling of Heath Streak for 10 and then his brother, Hamish, was run out for 13 in a horrible mix-up with Lou Vincent, who finished the day on 20 not out. Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu dug deep to make 76 runs and dominate an eighth-wicket partnership of 78 runs with tailender Blessing Mahwire. Taibu recorded his seventh Test half-century and hit a six and 11 fours. Shane Bond was the best of the New Zealanders as he finished with 6-51, the best performance of his Test career.

Taibu led Zimbabwe’s resistance as the home side went to tea at 188 for seven. The Taibu-Mahwire partnership was Zimbabwe’s second fightback — Craig Wishart and Brendan Taylor put on 58 for the fourth wicket. Zimbabwe was in serious trouble at lunch at 75 for six. Then Keith Dabengwa (17) went out at 123 for seven. Bond snared the wicket of Dion Ebrahim for no score with the second ball of the match. He captured Stuart Carlisle for one in his third over and Hamilton Masakadza for a duck in his fifth, giving the bowler figures of 3-3. Wishart (30) was neatly caught in the gully by Nathan Astle off James Franklin and Taylor (37) became

a victim of Brendon McCullum and Bond. Mahwire reached 42 before he was caught by Vettori off the bowling of Astle.