Matt Henry etched his name in New Zealand cricket history on Wednesday (July 30, 2025), when he delivered a career-defining spell to record the best Test bowling figures by a Kiwi in Zimbabwe. The fast bowler’s remarkable 6 for 39 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo demolished Zimbabwe’s batting line-up, propelling New Zealand into a dominant position on the opening day of the first Test of their two-match series.

Matt Henry’s record-breaking bowling performance against Zimbabwe

Matt Henry, renowned for his accuracy and subtle movement off the seam, wasted no time in ripping through Zimbabwe after they elected to bat. The hosts struggled from the outset as Henry dismissed both openers, Brian Bennett and Ben Curran, within his first four overs. His relentless pace and clever variations exploited whatever assistance the Bulawayo pitch offered.

Just before lunch, Henry struck again, removing Nick Welch—leaving Zimbabwe wobbling at 67 for four. After the break, he came back to snag Sikandar Raza with a well-directed bouncer, and the lower order simply had no answer to his precision. He wrapped up the innings by taking the final two wickets in a blitz that saw Zimbabwe bowled out for just 149 inside two sessions—their second-lowest Test total in 2025.

Henry’s figures, 6 for 39, are now the best by a New Zealand bowler in Tests in Zimbabwe, surpassing Neil Wagner’s 6 for 41 from nine years earlier. In the broader context of New Zealand’s battles against Zimbabwe, only Chris Martin’s 6 for 26 at Napier in 2005 stands above Henry’s feat, but Henry’s mark rules the roost for Black Caps visiting Zimbabwean soil.

Here’s the video:

☝️ 𝕩 6️⃣ ft. Matt 𝙍𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙇𝙀𝙎𝙎 Henry!

The 🇳🇿 pacer showed no mercy towards 🇿🇼 batters on the opening day of the first #ZIMvNZ Test 💥 pic.twitter.com/HLQpsqrVb1

— FanCode (@FanCode) July 30, 2025

Henry’s emphatic spell was ably supported by seam-bowling partner Nathan Smith, who contributed three wickets for just 20 runs. The pair continually asked questions of Zimbabwe’s batters, with the new-ball attack complemented by sharp fielding—Mitchell Santner’s diving catch late in the day was among the highlights.

Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe’s captain, provided some resistance, grinding out 30 crucial runs, but found little support. Zimbabwe briefly rallied through a 54-run stand between Ervine and wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, but Nathan Smith’s breakthroughs shortly before tea dashed any hopes of a significant recovery.

Also READ: ZIM vs NZ 2025: Zimbabwe recall veteran player after 3.5-year ban for the second Test

New Zealand’s strong reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings total

In response, New Zealand’s openers made light work of the modest target, coasting to 92 without loss by stumps. Devon Conway led the way with a fluent, unbeaten 51, while Will Young was rock-solid at 41 not out. Their unbroken partnership wiped out a huge portion of the deficit and placed New Zealand firmly in command heading into Day 2.

New Zealand in control in Bulawayo after a ruthless bowling display 💪

Matt Henry went full menace mode as he ripped through Zimbabwe with 6/39 🔥 Zimbabwe bundled out for just 149

Kiwis dominating early and dictating the flow of the game with finishing Day 1 at 92-0. 🏏… pic.twitter.com/vmT4HckGM9

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 30, 2025

Also READ: Fans erupt as Matt Henry’s 6-fer dismantles Zimbabwe and puts New Zealand in control on Day 1 of the first Test