Latham 105, Williamson 91 keep New Zealand on top

Tom Latham's fourth Test century and 91 from Kane Williamson on his Test captaincy debut saw New Zealand dominate the second day against a hapless home side. Not only were Zimbabwe unable to make too many inroads into New Zealand's line-up, but they also had to attempt to do that without their wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva and left-arm spinner Sean Williams, both of whom were ill and sorely missed.

Brian Chari, not known for his glovework, missed three tough chances while Williams' bowling could have been used on a surface that took substantial turn as the day went on. In his absence, captain Graeme Cremer had to bowl a marathon spell of 26 overs and with bounce, spin and drift, got more threatening with each one.

Latham did not not have to contend with too much of the tougher conditions, with the exception of the chance he offered on 85. Chamu Chibhabha moved one in sharply, which took an inside edge but Chari moved too late to take the catch.

Chibhabha was the only seam bowler to trouble New Zealand's batsmen after frontliners Donald Tiripano and Michael Chinouya proved too predictable. Neither made an attempt to emulate Neil Wagner's short-ball approach from the first day and both stuck to full deliveries outside the off stump, which helped them contain the batsmen, but only for a short while.

Martin Guptill and Latham eased their way in, with 43 runs in the first hour of play, when Cremer kept close catchers in, and eventually spread the field. Zimbabwe's only success of the morning came with the change bowlers. Chibhabha shaped them away from Guptill and cramped him for room, before drawing him into the drive for a thick edge which carried to Craig Ervine at gully.

The second session was New Zealand's most productive as Zimbabwe tried to use their part-timers in containing roles without success. Prince Masvaure and Sikandar Raza helped Latham and Williamson up their scoring rate. Midway through that session, New Zealand were in the lead with nine wickets in hand and Cremer then brought himself back on. In the 44th over, after Latham had crossed 50 and with Williamson on 29, Cremer began his third spell. He did not stop until six overs before the end of play, when he took the second new ball.

At first, New Zealand, especially Latham, took Cremer on but they soon saw the threat he would pose. When Williamson was on 32, Cremer got one to rip across the face of the bat, the batsman had his back foot in the air but Chari could not complete the stumping. Williamson worked his way to a half-century but Cremer worried him again, with a ball turned out of the footmarks and snuck between the keeper and first slip.

With Latham approaching his century, New Zealand became more cautious. They treated Hamilton Masakadza with as much respect as Cremer and took no chances. Latham spent 23 balls and the tea break in the nineties, leaving balls he could have hit, before bringing up three figures with a dap into the covers off a Cremer wrong 'un. His father, Rod, had scored his only Test century in the same city in November 1992.

Cremer thought he had broken through when Williamson got an edge off a delivery that drifted in and Raza claimed the catch at slip but it was referred to the third umpire. A lengthy deliberation and several replays later, Williamson, on 72, was given not out.

Seven balls later, Latham, who had spent a minute short of three-and-a-half hours in the middle, had a concentration lapse. He could have left a Masakadza delivery outside off but nicked off to end a 156-run stand with Williamson.

Cremer got his own back when Williamson was legitimately caught at slip for 91, and with Zimbabwe applying sustained pressure for the first time refused the second new ball until the 95th over. What Cremer lacked was support at the other end. Raza continued to concede heavily and with the lead growing, Cremer brought his seamer back for a final burst. He was rewarded when Tiripano had Henry Nicholls caught behind but New Zealand remained well in front.