Brendan Taylor Shines Amidst Zimbabwe Struggles Against New Zealand Pace in 2nd Test

Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Aug 7 (AP) - Brendan Taylor made a determined comeback to international cricket after serving a ban of more than three years, but his Zimbabwean teammates found it challenging against a formidable New Zealand pace attack in the second test on Thursday.

New Zealand's formidable pace lineup troubled Zimbabwe, with standout Matt Henry and debutant Zakary Foulkes each taking two wickets, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 67-4 by lunch on Day 1.

Amidst the falling wickets, Taylor displayed remarkable grit and remained unbeaten on 33 off 89 balls, including four boundaries. Taylor stepped in at the top order, replacing Ben Curran, as part of the two changes Zimbabwe made from the first test.

Taylor's ban, imposed for violating ICC's anti-corruption codes, ended late last month, paving the way for his inclusion in the second test squad.

Though Taylor had a nervy start, a short ball from Jacob Duffy edged off his bat, narrowly clearing the wicketkeeper and finding the fine leg boundary for four. However, Taylor gained confidence as he faced New Zealand's consistent bowling, while his teammates struggled similarly to the first test, which New Zealand won by nine wickets in under three days.

Henry struck early, claiming his first victim when Will Young took a sharp second-slip catch of Brian Bennett, who couldn't score. Henry's nine-over opening spell also saw him trap Nick Welch (11) leg before wicket with a delivery that nipped back into the right-hander.

Foulkes continued to test Zimbabwe's top order, repeatedly beating Sean Williams' outside edge before finally inducing an edge that Young caught in the second slip.

Captain Craig Ervine contributed 24 runs with Taylor, but Foulkes claimed another scalp in the session's final over before lunch, courtesy of Young's third slip catch.

Despite missing several star players like Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, and Glenn Phillips, New Zealand faced further hurdles as fast bowlers Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke were sidelined due to injuries from the first test.

Additionally, Michael Bracewell departed to participate in The Hundred in England.

In their place, the Black Caps introduced test newcomers Duffy, Matthew Fisher, and Foulkes, opting for an all-pace attack that included Henry, who notched an impressive nine-wicket haul in the first test. (AP) AM AM AM

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