Kiwi's Franklin triggers Zimbabwe Test collaspe
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

HARARE (Zimbabwe): Three wickets in four balls from New Zealander James Franklin’s second over on the second day of the first Test destroyed the Zimbabwe top order at the Harare Sports Club.

It didn’t stop there and the tone had been set for a dramatic collapse.

Shane Bond at the other end and a run-out by Scott Styris had Zimbabwe on their knees well before the first drinks of the morning as they lost two more wickets.

It was only when Stuart Carlisle and Tatenda Taibu, coming in at number seven, linked up with the scoreboard showing a meagre 28-5 that some small relief was edgily achieved.

But temporary it was. Zimbabwe lost two further wickets before lunch, that is if coach Phil Simmonds allowed them any, when Zimbabwe were 52-8, a deficit of 400, New Zealand having scored a rapid 452-9 on the first day Sunday.

The home side needs a further 151 to avoid a follow-on. All the evidence suggests they will not get close to that objective.

Zimbabwe’s debutante Neil Ferreira played the first ball of the day, a Shane Bond bouncer, by touching it over wicketkeeper Brendon McCullom for a four.

It was a humorous moment, but one with a warning attached.

The first ball of Franklin’s second over had him caught behind. Replacement Dion Ebrahim was leg before first ball and Hamilton Mazakadza followed him back to the pavilion two balls later as Franklin celebrated.

Bond had Craig Wishart clean bowled leaving the ball to hit his off stump.

Then Brendan Taylor, who had watched the carnage from the other end, was unluckily out. Stuart Carlisle struck Scott Styris dead straight, but the bowler got a finger touch, the ball hit the stumps and Taylor was fractionally out of his ground.

Taibu was another suicide, leaving a straight Martin ball. And Streak made no contribution, nicking his first ball to McCullum.

It was still not Zimbabwe’s worst batting performance in Tests. They were once 35 all out to Sri Lanka.●