New Zealand Secures Largest Victory, Timeline: New Zealand comes shockingly close to breaking all-time record in their crushing defeat of Zimbabwe.
New Zealand Secures Third-Largest Test Victory in History Against Zimbabwe
New Zealand has etched its name in the annals of Test cricket history with a resounding 359-run victory against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, 2025. This win marks the third-largest margin of victory in Test history, surpassing their previous best of 301 runs against Zimbabwe at Napier in 2012.
The triumph also marked a clean sweep for New Zealand in the 2nd Test, securing a 2-0 series victory against their opponents. The match saw several records being broken, including the debut of Zak Foulkes who claimed match figures of 9-75, the best ever by a New Zealand Test debutant.
In the first innings, New Zealand declared at 601-3, securing their second-largest first-innings lead (476 runs) in Test history. Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra scored 150-plus runs each, equaling the world record for most 150-plus scores (3) by batters in a single Test innings.
Zimbabwe responded with a modest 125 runs in their first innings. In the second innings, Foulkes continued his impressive performance, claiming 5-37, as Zimbabwe were skittled for 117.
This is the first time a New Zealand Test debutant has achieved match figures of 9-75 or better. The victory places New Zealand in the top 10 for the largest Test victory margins, holding ninth place.
The West Indies are the only other team, aside from New Zealand, to feature three times in the top 10 for the largest Test victory margins. The West Indies hold the fourth, seventh, and eighth positions with their innings and 336 runs vs India in 1958, innings and 322 runs vs New Zealand in 1995, and innings and 310 runs vs Bangladesh in 2002, respectively.
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Here is a table listing the top 10 largest Test victory margins, including the winning team, margin, opposition, venue, and match date:
| Margin of Victory | Winner | Opponent | Venue | Year | |------------------------------|------------|----------|-------------|----------| | Innings and 579 runs | England | Australia| The Oval | 1938 | | Innings and 360 runs | Australia | South Africa | Johannesburg | 2002 | | Innings and 359 runs | New Zealand| Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 2025 | | Innings and 336 runs | West Indies| India | Kolkata | 1958/59 | | Innings and 332 runs | Australia | England | Brisbane | 1946 | | Innings and 324 runs | Pakistan | New Zealand| Lahore | 2002 | | Innings and 310 runs | West Indies| Bangladesh| Dhaka | 2002 | | Innings and 294 runs | New Zealand| Zimbabwe | Harare | 2005 | | Innings and 301 runs | New Zealand| Zimbabwe | Napier | 2012 | | [TBA] | [TBA] | [TBA] | [TBA] | [TBA] |
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Sports: The triumphant victory of New Zealand over Zimbabwe, particularly in the Test match played in Bulawayo, 2025, is a significant sports news story, marking the third-largest Test victory in history.
Cricket News: In the realm of Test cricket, the colossal 359-run victory of New Zealand against Zimbabwe is making waves in cricket news, further cementing New Zealand's place among the top teams in terms of largest Test victory margins.
