Triple-ton Richardson

Twenty-nine year-old Otago batsman Mark Richardson rewrote the record books yesterday when he scored only the sixth triple century by a New Zealander in first-class cricket.

Richardson made 306 in slightly less than two days as New Zealand made their highest total in first-class cricket - 677 for 7 declared - against a Zimbabwe 'A' team which had five full internationals in its bowling attack.

At the end of the second day of the three-day match at Kwekwe Sports Club on Friday, the Zimbabweans were 31 for 1 in their first innings.

Richardson, whose previous best was 212 not out for New Zealand 'A' against Sussex two months ago, struck 43 fours and was at the crease for 198 overs in an innings where four team-mates also made half-centuries (McMillan with 79 and Parore with 61 not out adding to Horne and Sinclair's efforts on Thursday).

Richardson was finally trapped lbw by David Mutendera, at which point Stephen Fleming applied the declaration. Mutendera took 2/111 from 28 overs while Paul Strang, on the comeback trail to international cricket, took 3/77 from 40 overs. No such luck for Grant Flower (0/103), Everton Matambanadzo (0/118), and Henry Olonga (0/120).

Nathan Astle was the one New Zealand batsman who missed out, being dismissed for 6.

Zimbabwe 'A' faced nineteen overs in the final session Friday. Mark Vermuelen was bowled by Dion Nash without scoring. The not out batsmen overnight are Grant Flower (13) and Trevor Madondo (15).