Cricket: Zimbabwe build first innings lead

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Lower order batsman Regis Chakabula has led a wagging Zimbabwe tail to a first innings lead of 56 against a New Zealand X1 at Gisborne today.

Zimbabwe was 328-9 at stumps on the second day of play, chasing the home team's first innings of 272-9 declared, with Chakabula (87no) putting on an unbeaten stand of 58 with Ray Price for the last wicket.

The eighth wicket partnership between Chakabula and Shingiral Maasakadza also made a significant contribution of 75, frustrating the Gisborne crowd who were keen to see the New Zealand side bat again.

Zimbabwe coach Alan Butcher said he was reasonably pleased with his team's performance but unhappy with the number of batsman who were dismissed pulling or fending off short balls.

"That's probably something we will have to look at," said Butcher. "I'm sure we might cop a few more in the test match. We have seen what their plan might be and we can take steps to counter it."

Butcher said a three day match just three days after his team arrived in the country was hardly ideal preparation for a test with against the Black Caps.

"It would have been nice to have another match before Thursday (when the test starts in Napier)."

A fiery Neil Wagner spell finally ended the 119-run stand between Tatenda Taibu (66) and Malcolm Waller (58) for the 4th wicket, with the Black Cap-in-waiting utilising the short ball.

But he may have overdone the short-pitched bowling as his last five overs went for 35 without reward with Chakabula being the main benefactor. Wagner finished with 3-86 from 19 overs.

Seamers Andy McKay and Chris Martin shared four wickets, while spinners Dan Vettori and Tarun Nethula chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Butcher said he did not declare as his side was unlikely to get another innings with the bat. He added he was pleased with how Zimbabwe bowled in the first innings and would look to back that up tomorrow.

New Zealand coach John Wright said the match was a good work out for players who have recently played a lot of Twenty20, and he was pleased those who failed with the bat in the first innings would get another chance on the final day tomorrow.