Wagner Monsters Zimbabwe On Opening Day

The Black Caps have dominated the opening day of the first cricket test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Paceman Neil Wagner's taken career-best figures of six for 41 to help dismiss the hosts for 164.

Wagner said it was a day where he had to be aggressive.

"Get some doubt in their footwork, to try and get a nick when you're pitching it up. With the wicket being flat you have to try some options to get results."

Wagner conceded just eight runs from his first seven overs of a hostile spell.

He took three wickets in one over and is pleased with his day.

"Getting career best figures is obviously a nice moment, but just to get the opportunity to play more test cricket and hopefully get a result" he said was also important.

Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat but slumped to 72 for 8 before an unbeaten 49 from tail ender Donald Tiripano avoided a total embarassment.

The first ball of the Zimbabwe innings from Tim Southee was steered for a boundary by opener Brian Chari, but his luck ran out on the next delivery as he picked out Martin Guptill at second slip.

New Zealand reached 32 without loss in reply. Martin Guptill is on 14 and Tom Latham 16.

Radio Sport