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Summary New Zealand reached 331/5 at stumps on day one of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe.
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has made his sixth Test century to guide New Zealand to 331/5 at stumps on day one of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Napier today.Taylor was unbeaten on 111 after the first days play, while new wicketkeeper BJ Watling was with him on 15 from 50 balls.It has been a fine knock by the skipper, who had to help New Zealand rebuild their innings on two occasions as they lost quick wickets. He did well to leave a number of good deliveries outside offstump, but was quick to punish anything short plundering 13 4s and two 6s.Earlier, after reaching 124/0 New Zealand lost Guptill (51) just after lunch when he drove at a rising delivery from Shingirai Masakadza edging a regulation catch through to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.Kane Williamson (4) went just seven runs later when he called McCullum through for a quick single but was left stranded when his senior partner decided to stay put at the bowlers end.That brought Taylor to the crease who looked to rebuild with McCullum and they put on a 64-run partnership to steady the New Zealand innings.McCullum eventually found himself bogged down, scoring just one run in a 10 over period and Zimbabwe got their reward. It came from a good piece of bowling from Kyle Jarvis who trapped the New Zealand opener on his crease to dismiss him LBW on 83.
