Best match figures for NZ bowlers vs Zimbabwe in Tests
What's the story
New Zealand pacer Zakary Foulkes achieved a remarkable feat on his Test debut, claiming nine wickets in the second and final match against Zimbabwe. The 23-year-old was instrumental in New Zealand's victory by an innings and 359 runs in Bulawayo. Meanwhile, Foulkes's impressive match figures of 9/75 are now the second-best for a NZ bowler versus Zimbabwe in Tests. On this note, let's look at NZ bowlers to claim at least nine wickets in a Test versus Zimbabwe.
#3
Matt Henry - 9/90 in Bulawayo, 2025
Matt Henry entered this list with a brilliant 9/90 from 36.3 overs in the opener of the aforementioned series (8 maidens). The pacer tore Zimbabwe apart on Day 1, claiming figures worth 6/39 from 15.3 overs. His brilliance saw Zimbabwe get bowled for 149. Henry picked figures worth 3/51 from 21 overs in the 3rd innings as Zimbabwe were brushed aside for 165. The Kiwis later won the duel by nine wickets.
#2
Zakary Foulkes - 9/75 in Bulawayo, 2025
Foulkes shone in the 1st innings of the aforementioned Bulawayo Test, picking 4/38 runs from 16 overs. In the 3rd innings, he claimed 5/37 from nine overs. He ended the match with figures of 9/75. He bowled a total of 25 overs in the match and clocked seven maiden overs. This was a moment to cherish for Foulkes as he recorded the best Test match figures on debut for an NZ bowler.
#1
Shane Bond - 10/99 in Bulawayo, 2005
Former pacer Shane Bond happens to be the only NZ bowler with a match 10-fer against Zimbabwe. The speedster delivered the goods in the 2005 Bulawayo game, managing figures worth 10/99 from 31 overs, which included five maidens. He claimed 6/51 from 17 overs as Zimbabwe managed 231/10 while batting first. Bond's 4/48 from 14 overs in the third innings powered the visitors to a win by an innings and 46 runs.