Record-breaking performance in New Zealand's dominating victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, setting new records for best debut figures and third-largest wins.
In a historic moment for Test cricket, three New Zealand batters - Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra - scored over 150 runs in the same innings during the team's match against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, 2025. This remarkable feat, which occurred on day three, saw New Zealand finish the day at 601/3, aiming to become the first team to score 1000 runs in an innings.
This is the first time in Test history that the top 5 batters from one team have scored 150+ each in the same innings. The previous instances of such a feat were recorded in 1938 during England vs Australia at The Oval, and in 1986 during India vs Sri Lanka in Kanpur.
New Zealand's score of 601/3 also threatened to break their highest-ever Test innings total of 715/6, achieved during the Hamilton test in 2019. Devon Conway scored 153 runs, while Henry Nicholls remained not out on 150, and Rachin Ravindra was unbeaten on 165.
Meanwhile, in the 2nd Test, New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 359 runs. This victory marks the third-largest innings win in Test cricket history. The three batters outscored both of Zimbabwe's team totals in the match, a first in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe was bowled out for 117 in their second innings, with Zachary Foulkes taking 5 wickets for 37 runs in his debut Test match. Foulkes also holds the record for the best match figures by a New Zealand debutant with 9-75.
In other news, Henry's streak of international innings with at least one wicket has reached 42, the fourth longest among all bowlers. Usman Khawaja is next on the list of oldest active Test cricketers at 38 years 234 days. Brendan Taylor, returning to Test cricket after four years, scored 44 runs.
Among cricketers who debuted in the 21st century, James Anderson (21 years 51 days) and Mushfiqur Rahim (active, 20 years 33 days) are the only ones to have crossed the 20-year mark at the time of writing. Brendan Taylor's Test career is the 12th-longest of all time.
Matt Henry took 5 wickets for 40 runs in the match. Among fast bowlers, Dennis Lillee has the third-longest streak of international innings with at least one wicket at 35. Craig Ervine, Taylor, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams are the four oldest active Test cricketers.
[1] Source: Cricinfo records [4] Source: ESPNcricinfo records
Sports coverage highlights an unprecedented achievement in Test cricket as New Zealand's Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra scored over 150 runs each in a single innings against Zimbabwe, making this the first instance of the top 5 batters from one team achieving this feat. This extraordinary performance echoes notable instances in sports history, such as England vs Australia at The Oval in 1938 and India vs Sri Lanka in Kanpur in 1986.
