Former West Indies captain Chris Gayle, involved in a protracted dispute with his national board, will play in Zimbabwe's domestic T20 competition at the end of November, officials said on Monday.
Gayle, 31, has not played for West Indies since a World Cup quarter-final in March and the board (WICB) issued a statement last month saying the batsman would be considered for West Indies selection again only if he retracted statements about the board and their officials.
The left-hander responded by asking the board to "state clearly" what he should apologise for.
Gayle will play for the Matabeleland Tuskers in the T20 tournament from Nov. 25 to Dec. 4.
"I am a cricketer and I want to play," Gayle said in a statement. "I would rather be playing for the West Indies but while that's not possible I want to use my time wisely, entertain some people and try to do some good."
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
CHRIS GAYLE TO FEATURE FOR TUSTERS
Tournament to be staged in Harare, from 25 November to 04 December.
Zimbabwe Cricket announced the five squads for the Zimbabwe domestic franchises that will be competing in the 3rd edition of the Stanbic Bank 20 Series. The event is scheduled to start on Friday the 25th of November with the final match being played on Sunday the 4th of December at Harare Sports Club.
Mashonaland Eagles are the defending champions after winning the title in a tense battle against the MidWest Rhinos last year. The tournament has attracted foreign teams and players; this edition features twelve overseas professionals.
Sixteen matches will be played over a period of nine days at Harare Sports Club. The full match schedule can be viewed on the Zimbabwe Cricket website
Squads
Mash Eagles: Stuart Matsikenyeri (Captain); Raymond Price; Cephas Zhuwao; Regis Chakabva; Mark Mbofana; Elton Chigumbura; Kyle Jarvis; Sikanda Raza; Nathan Waller; Forster Mutizwa; Trevor Garwe; Peter Trego; Rory Hamilton Brown; Andrew Hall and Ryan Ten Doeschate
Matabeleland Tuskers: Paul Horton (Captain); Charles Coventry; Chris Mpofu; Njabulo Ncube; Bradley Staddon; Keegan Meth; Keith Dabengwa; Craig Ervine; Steve Trenchard; Gavin Ewing; Glen Querl; Tafadzwa Ngulube; Adam Wheater; Tom Smith and
Chris Gayle
MidWest Rhinos: Brendan Taylor (Captain); Roland Benade; Mike Chinouya; Graeme Cremer; Neville Madziva; Simon Mugava; Richard Muzhange; Ian Nicolson; Remembrance Nyathi; Edward Rainsford; Malcolm Waller; Gary Balance; Riki Wessels; Lou Vincent and Shaun Tait
Southern Rocks: Alester Maregwede (Captain); Roy Kaia; Chamunorwa Chibhabha; Prince Masvaure; Brian Vitori; Richmond Mutumbami; Tinashe Panyangara; Hillary Matanga; Tendai Chisoro; Alex Obanda; Tatenda Taibu; John Kent; Robertson Chinyengetere; Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi and Tafadzwa Kamungozi
Mountaineers: Timycen Maruma (Captain); Hamilton Masakadza; Prosper Utseya; Tino Mawoyo; Shingirai Masakadza; Natsai M'Shangwe; Kevin Kasuza; Donald Tiripano; Tendai Chatara; Gary Chirimuuta; Kudzai Sauramba; Phil Mustard; Ned Eckersley; Chris Harris and
Dirk Nannes
Zimbabwe Cricket announced the five squads for the Zimbabwe domestic franchises that will be competing in the 3rd edition of the Stanbic Bank 20 Series. The event is scheduled to start on Friday the 25th of November with the final match being played on Sunday the 4th of December at Harare Sports Club.
Mashonaland Eagles are the defending champions after winning the title in a tense battle against the MidWest Rhinos last year. The tournament has attracted foreign teams and players; this edition features twelve overseas professionals.
Sixteen matches will be played over a period of nine days at Harare Sports Club. The full match schedule can be viewed on the Zimbabwe Cricket website
Squads
Mash Eagles: Stuart Matsikenyeri (Captain); Raymond Price; Cephas Zhuwao; Regis Chakabva; Mark Mbofana; Elton Chigumbura; Kyle Jarvis; Sikanda Raza; Nathan Waller; Forster Mutizwa; Trevor Garwe; Peter Trego; Rory Hamilton Brown; Andrew Hall and Ryan Ten Doeschate
Matabeleland Tuskers: Paul Horton (Captain); Charles Coventry; Chris Mpofu; Njabulo Ncube; Bradley Staddon; Keegan Meth; Keith Dabengwa; Craig Ervine; Steve Trenchard; Gavin Ewing; Glen Querl; Tafadzwa Ngulube; Adam Wheater; Tom Smith and
Chris Gayle
MidWest Rhinos: Brendan Taylor (Captain); Roland Benade; Mike Chinouya; Graeme Cremer; Neville Madziva; Simon Mugava; Richard Muzhange; Ian Nicolson; Remembrance Nyathi; Edward Rainsford; Malcolm Waller; Gary Balance; Riki Wessels; Lou Vincent and Shaun Tait
Southern Rocks: Alester Maregwede (Captain); Roy Kaia; Chamunorwa Chibhabha; Prince Masvaure; Brian Vitori; Richmond Mutumbami; Tinashe Panyangara; Hillary Matanga; Tendai Chisoro; Alex Obanda; Tatenda Taibu; John Kent; Robertson Chinyengetere; Tanyaradzwa Munyaradzi and Tafadzwa Kamungozi
Mountaineers: Timycen Maruma (Captain); Hamilton Masakadza; Prosper Utseya; Tino Mawoyo; Shingirai Masakadza; Natsai M'Shangwe; Kevin Kasuza; Donald Tiripano; Tendai Chatara; Gary Chirimuuta; Kudzai Sauramba; Phil Mustard; Ned Eckersley; Chris Harris and
Dirk Nannes
Sunday, 13 November 2011
ROEBUCK FOUND DEAD IN A HOTEL
The acclaimed cricket writer Peter Roebuck has been found dead at a hotel in Cape Town, South Africa.
Roebuck, a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, was 55.
He played for the English county Somerset, made a home in Australia, and built a reputation as arguably one of the best columnists on the sport.
Roebuck travelled widely with the Australian team, including on its current tour of South Africa, and was also a radio commentator for the ABC.
He used to write a lot about Zimbabwean cricket in particular the current leadership of Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute. He could have easily passed for 'enermy of the state' but at least when everyone else was shunning Zimbabwe he stood up and wrote his ocassional "expose", which kept us in the minds of the general cricketing world.
According to reports, Roebuck appeared to be in a disturbed state the night before. He was spoken to by police in his room on the sixth floor of the Southern Sun Hotel, Newlands, in Cape Town about 10pm.
It is believed police removed personal items from his room. His body was taken to the mortuary in the early hours of the morning.
Roebuck, a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, was 55.
He played for the English county Somerset, made a home in Australia, and built a reputation as arguably one of the best columnists on the sport.
Roebuck travelled widely with the Australian team, including on its current tour of South Africa, and was also a radio commentator for the ABC.
He used to write a lot about Zimbabwean cricket in particular the current leadership of Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute. He could have easily passed for 'enermy of the state' but at least when everyone else was shunning Zimbabwe he stood up and wrote his ocassional "expose", which kept us in the minds of the general cricketing world.
According to reports, Roebuck appeared to be in a disturbed state the night before. He was spoken to by police in his room on the sixth floor of the Southern Sun Hotel, Newlands, in Cape Town about 10pm.
It is believed police removed personal items from his room. His body was taken to the mortuary in the early hours of the morning.
Friday, 11 November 2011
SA WALK PAST AUSSIE IN A DRAMA FILLED TEST
Centuries from Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith saw South Africa to an eight-wicket victory in a memorable first Test against Australia at Newlands on Friday.
Amla hit 112 while Smith went to three figures shortly before hitting the winning runs, as the duo decided a remarkable Test match that finished before lunch on the third day.
Although Amla fell before the victory had been secured, as he was caught in the gully off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson, the job had been done and Jacques Kallis merely had to shepherd Smith to an unbeaten 101 as the Proteas eased to 236 for two.
South Africa's target had looked a stiff one when they took to the crease for the second time on a day when 23 wickets fell, but Smith and Amla made light work of it. They resumed on 81 for one on Friday morning with the game still in the balance, but ensured the Proteas had little difficulty in knocking off the 155 runs still required for victory in an extended first session.
The partnership proved that Thursday's carnage was merely the result of poor batsmanship, rather than a dodgy pitch, as the pair scored at 4.75 runs per over in a 195-run stand.
The crucial moment in the session came in just the third over when Amla edged Ryan Harris to first slip, only for Shane Watson to put down a regulation catch. Had the chance been taken then Australia might have been able to set the jitters among the Proteas batsmen, but instead Amla progressed to his half-century without any further troubles.
There was some swing and seam on offer for the pacemen in the first hour, but not as much as on day two with the pitch flattening out under sunny skies.
Australia began the session by attacking the stumps but had to revert to a more defensive approach after five or six overs as both batsmen took easy runs through the leg side. They had two shouts for lbw against Amla, one of which they referred, but both were shown to be sliding down leg.
Both batsmen went to fifty in good time - Smith took 75 balls while Amla needed 81 - but they put their feet on the gas even harder thereafter and Amla took just 45 balls for his second fifty.
He went to three figures, and 4,000 Test runs, with a fluent cut through backward point for four off Johnson, and was given a standing ovation by a noisy Newlands crowd that had grown from its size on days one and two as Capetonians came to get their fill of Test cricket before the match's premature end.
Amla was out with just 14 runs required for victory, at which point the only question was whether Smith would be able to reach his century. He duly did so with a boundary and a single off Johnson, before clipping Peter Siddle through midwicket to seal the match in the following over.
The victory means South Africa can't lose the two-Test series, which concludes in Johannesburg, where the second Test begins on November 17.
Amla hit 112 while Smith went to three figures shortly before hitting the winning runs, as the duo decided a remarkable Test match that finished before lunch on the third day.
Although Amla fell before the victory had been secured, as he was caught in the gully off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson, the job had been done and Jacques Kallis merely had to shepherd Smith to an unbeaten 101 as the Proteas eased to 236 for two.
South Africa's target had looked a stiff one when they took to the crease for the second time on a day when 23 wickets fell, but Smith and Amla made light work of it. They resumed on 81 for one on Friday morning with the game still in the balance, but ensured the Proteas had little difficulty in knocking off the 155 runs still required for victory in an extended first session.
The partnership proved that Thursday's carnage was merely the result of poor batsmanship, rather than a dodgy pitch, as the pair scored at 4.75 runs per over in a 195-run stand.
The crucial moment in the session came in just the third over when Amla edged Ryan Harris to first slip, only for Shane Watson to put down a regulation catch. Had the chance been taken then Australia might have been able to set the jitters among the Proteas batsmen, but instead Amla progressed to his half-century without any further troubles.
There was some swing and seam on offer for the pacemen in the first hour, but not as much as on day two with the pitch flattening out under sunny skies.
Australia began the session by attacking the stumps but had to revert to a more defensive approach after five or six overs as both batsmen took easy runs through the leg side. They had two shouts for lbw against Amla, one of which they referred, but both were shown to be sliding down leg.
Both batsmen went to fifty in good time - Smith took 75 balls while Amla needed 81 - but they put their feet on the gas even harder thereafter and Amla took just 45 balls for his second fifty.
He went to three figures, and 4,000 Test runs, with a fluent cut through backward point for four off Johnson, and was given a standing ovation by a noisy Newlands crowd that had grown from its size on days one and two as Capetonians came to get their fill of Test cricket before the match's premature end.
Amla was out with just 14 runs required for victory, at which point the only question was whether Smith would be able to reach his century. He duly did so with a boundary and a single off Johnson, before clipping Peter Siddle through midwicket to seal the match in the following over.
The victory means South Africa can't lose the two-Test series, which concludes in Johannesburg, where the second Test begins on November 17.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
SIBANDA TO PLAY IN AUSTRALIA
Sibanda confirmed on Friday that he will play for Eastern Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket this summer, rather then returning to captain his Zimbabwe franchise the Midwest Rhinos.
The 28-year-old declined a contract offer from the Rhinos this season in anticipation of his Australian venture, as he looks to pick up further experience in the league he played in back in 2006.
"The main thing is the competition that I'll be playing there is a lot more competitive, and the guys I'll be playing with - the likes of David Warner and Brad Haddin - I can feed off and gain a lot of experience to better my game," he explained.
Sibanda said that he hoped to return to Zimbabwe a stronger player for the experience.
"There are all these opportunities out there, and hopefully I do well when I get there. If I do well in the first month then I'd like to think it would open up more windows for me."
Zimbabwe Cricket have made their objection clear to Sibanda, who has pursued the move for some time. He was told by Alistair Campbell, during Campbell's days as convenor of selectors, that he would not consider Sibanda for the New Zealand tour if he went and played in Australia.
Zimbabwe Cricket's reluctance stems from their desire to keep the national players within the franchise system to ensure that the competition does not become weakened.
However, when asked whether his stint in Australia would definitely rule him out of Zimbabwe's tour of New Zealand, coach Alan Butcher butted in to reply: "Not as far as he or I are concerned."
Sibanda has been a mainstay at the top of the Zimbabwe order this season, playing in all three Tests and the majority of their limited overs matches.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to play one Test, three one-day internationals and a couple of Twenty20 internationals in New Zealand.
The tour kicks off with the one-off Test in Napier on January 26
The 28-year-old declined a contract offer from the Rhinos this season in anticipation of his Australian venture, as he looks to pick up further experience in the league he played in back in 2006.
"The main thing is the competition that I'll be playing there is a lot more competitive, and the guys I'll be playing with - the likes of David Warner and Brad Haddin - I can feed off and gain a lot of experience to better my game," he explained.
Sibanda said that he hoped to return to Zimbabwe a stronger player for the experience.
"There are all these opportunities out there, and hopefully I do well when I get there. If I do well in the first month then I'd like to think it would open up more windows for me."
Zimbabwe Cricket have made their objection clear to Sibanda, who has pursued the move for some time. He was told by Alistair Campbell, during Campbell's days as convenor of selectors, that he would not consider Sibanda for the New Zealand tour if he went and played in Australia.
Zimbabwe Cricket's reluctance stems from their desire to keep the national players within the franchise system to ensure that the competition does not become weakened.
However, when asked whether his stint in Australia would definitely rule him out of Zimbabwe's tour of New Zealand, coach Alan Butcher butted in to reply: "Not as far as he or I are concerned."
Sibanda has been a mainstay at the top of the Zimbabwe order this season, playing in all three Tests and the majority of their limited overs matches.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to play one Test, three one-day internationals and a couple of Twenty20 internationals in New Zealand.
The tour kicks off with the one-off Test in Napier on January 26
Thursday, 3 November 2011
NEW ZEALAND TAKES CONTROL ON DAY 3
Daniel Vettori made his experience count as his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket proved the difference between Zimbabwe and New Zealand on the third day of their Test match at Queens Sports Club.
Vettori recorded healthy figures of five for 70 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 313, before New Zealand closed day three on 28 for two, giving them an overall lead of 141.
With the fast bowlers struggling to make inroads into the Zimbabwean line-up, the left-arm spinner ensured that the Black Caps maintained control of the match despite the hosts claiming two wickets late in the day.
Martin Guptill was bowled by Kyle Jarvis in the first over of New Zealand's second innings, while Ray Price struck in his first over to trap Brendon McCullum leg before wicket.
The two early wickets kept Zimbabwe in touch after their batsmen had missed opportunities to put pressure on New Zealand, with Vusi Sibanda and Tatenda Taibu guilty of throwing their wickets away.
Malcolm Waller hit an impressive 72 not out, but with the tail exposed he was left stranded as Zimbabwe managed a total below their expectations.
Waller became the 11th Zimbabwean to make a score of fifty or more on debut - a feat that was achieved by his father, Andrew, against England on this ground in 1996.
Sibanda had resumed on 53 not out and looked set for a maiden Test century until he cut part-time seamer Dean brownlie straight to gully to depart for 93.
Brendan Taylor continued his fine form against New Zealand as he went to lunch on 50 not out, but when he was trapped lbw to Vettori four balls after lunch the hosts needed to rebuild.
Instead Taibu's reckless shot off Vettori found mid-off to leave Zimbabwe on 198 for five, and the hosts were indebted to an 86-run partnership between Waller and Regis Chakabva for avoiding a disastrous total.
The pair saw off the second new ball to take the home side to tea on 265 for five, but another unnecessary dismissal show ended the stand when Chakabva was needlessly run out for 37.
That allowed New Zealand to attack Zimbabwe's weak tail, and just 29 runs were added thereafter - most of them by Waller - as Chris Martin picked up two wickets to move past the 200 mark in Test cricket.
"Whenever you come here you know the wicket is going to be pretty flat so it's going to be a lot of work and we expected that today, so to walk off the park 140 runs ahead is a pretty pleasing day and we know tomorrow is going to be the most important day of the Test match," said Vettori.
"I think it's about how much time we give ourselves to bowl at Zimbabwe more than the actual total we put up. We've seen how slow the wicket is - maybe it's starting to break up a bit - but we probably want 100 overs at Zimbabwe, which means 10 overs at the end of tomorrow.
"We have to bat well in the morning and set up up the game for ourselves in the first session, which will hopefully allow us to build some momentum in the middle and late session."
Kane Williamson went to stumps on 13 not out, while nightwatchman Jeetan Patel was unbeaten on four.
Vettori recorded healthy figures of five for 70 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 313, before New Zealand closed day three on 28 for two, giving them an overall lead of 141.
With the fast bowlers struggling to make inroads into the Zimbabwean line-up, the left-arm spinner ensured that the Black Caps maintained control of the match despite the hosts claiming two wickets late in the day.
Martin Guptill was bowled by Kyle Jarvis in the first over of New Zealand's second innings, while Ray Price struck in his first over to trap Brendon McCullum leg before wicket.
The two early wickets kept Zimbabwe in touch after their batsmen had missed opportunities to put pressure on New Zealand, with Vusi Sibanda and Tatenda Taibu guilty of throwing their wickets away.
Malcolm Waller hit an impressive 72 not out, but with the tail exposed he was left stranded as Zimbabwe managed a total below their expectations.
Waller became the 11th Zimbabwean to make a score of fifty or more on debut - a feat that was achieved by his father, Andrew, against England on this ground in 1996.
Sibanda had resumed on 53 not out and looked set for a maiden Test century until he cut part-time seamer Dean brownlie straight to gully to depart for 93.
Brendan Taylor continued his fine form against New Zealand as he went to lunch on 50 not out, but when he was trapped lbw to Vettori four balls after lunch the hosts needed to rebuild.
Instead Taibu's reckless shot off Vettori found mid-off to leave Zimbabwe on 198 for five, and the hosts were indebted to an 86-run partnership between Waller and Regis Chakabva for avoiding a disastrous total.
The pair saw off the second new ball to take the home side to tea on 265 for five, but another unnecessary dismissal show ended the stand when Chakabva was needlessly run out for 37.
That allowed New Zealand to attack Zimbabwe's weak tail, and just 29 runs were added thereafter - most of them by Waller - as Chris Martin picked up two wickets to move past the 200 mark in Test cricket.
"Whenever you come here you know the wicket is going to be pretty flat so it's going to be a lot of work and we expected that today, so to walk off the park 140 runs ahead is a pretty pleasing day and we know tomorrow is going to be the most important day of the Test match," said Vettori.
"I think it's about how much time we give ourselves to bowl at Zimbabwe more than the actual total we put up. We've seen how slow the wicket is - maybe it's starting to break up a bit - but we probably want 100 overs at Zimbabwe, which means 10 overs at the end of tomorrow.
"We have to bat well in the morning and set up up the game for ourselves in the first session, which will hopefully allow us to build some momentum in the middle and late session."
Kane Williamson went to stumps on 13 not out, while nightwatchman Jeetan Patel was unbeaten on four.
ZIM TAKE CHARGE ON DAY TWO
Zimbabwe claimed the honours on the second day of their Test against New Zealand, but are likely to face a trial by spin as they continue their response to New Zealand's first innings total of 426 in Bulawayo.
The hosts closed on 82 for one, with Vusi Sibanda leading the charge with an unbeaten half-century after Chris Mpofu's career-best figures in Test cricket saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for just 25 runs.
Sibanda's confident 53 came off 123 balls, but he wasn't shy about bringing out the pull shot to pick up boundaries at any opportunity.
He was well supported by Hamilton Masakadza in an unbroken 58-run stand for the second wicket after an overly tentative Tino Mawoyo had been trapped lbw in Daniel Vettori's second over of the match.
Although the pitch remained true throughout the day, it took increasing turn and Vettori will remain Zimbabwe's toughest opponent with the ball as their innings progresses.
Mpofu recorded figures of 4 for 92, and saved his best spell for last as he sent down six overs to take three for 14 as he wrapped up the tail in quick time.
Left-arm spinner Ray Price picked up the first and last wickets of the sequence that saw New Zealand's lower order cumble, with Mpofu removing the three batsmen in between.
Dean Brownlie's half-century on debut seemed to have set New Zealand up for a declaration as he lifted the scoring rate with Vettori after lunch.
A disciplined bowling performance from Zimbabwe had seen them pick up two wickets and restrict the New Zealand scoring on the second morning, but Vettori took just two deliveries after the break to find the boundary.
The pair added 74 runs in 14 overs as they took the attack to Zimbabwe, until Brownlie paid the price for over-aggression as a swipe across the line at a Price delivery resulted in an edge to slip, ending his innings on 63.
Meanwhile Vettori raced to 40 from just 58 deliveries as he took a particular liking to Price, but was caught at slip off the bowling of Mpofu to spark a late collapse.
Morning rain had meant that play was delayed by 45 minutes at the start of the day by a wet outfield, but with lunch pushed back by half an hour only 15 minutes were lost from the opening session.
With conditions freshened up by the rain, and a relatively new second ball still in hand, Njabulo Ncube picked up his first Test wicket in his first over of the day as he snatched the big scalp of Ross Taylor.
The New Zealand captain failed to add to his overnight score of 76 before he chased a wide delivery and edged through to the wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.
Mpofu picked up the other wicket of the first session, surprising BJ Watling with a lifting delivery that caught the edge on its way to Chakabva, who took a good one-handed catch low to his right.
The majority of the morning saw Zimbabwe set defensive fields and bowl strict lines, which allowed the Black Caps to add just 52 runs over the course of 27 overs.
Martin Guptill's second Test century formed the backbone of the New Zealand innings on the first day, when his 109 allowed the tourists to reach 275 for three at stumps on Tuesday evening.
The hosts closed on 82 for one, with Vusi Sibanda leading the charge with an unbeaten half-century after Chris Mpofu's career-best figures in Test cricket saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for just 25 runs.
Sibanda's confident 53 came off 123 balls, but he wasn't shy about bringing out the pull shot to pick up boundaries at any opportunity.
He was well supported by Hamilton Masakadza in an unbroken 58-run stand for the second wicket after an overly tentative Tino Mawoyo had been trapped lbw in Daniel Vettori's second over of the match.
Although the pitch remained true throughout the day, it took increasing turn and Vettori will remain Zimbabwe's toughest opponent with the ball as their innings progresses.
Mpofu recorded figures of 4 for 92, and saved his best spell for last as he sent down six overs to take three for 14 as he wrapped up the tail in quick time.
Left-arm spinner Ray Price picked up the first and last wickets of the sequence that saw New Zealand's lower order cumble, with Mpofu removing the three batsmen in between.
Dean Brownlie's half-century on debut seemed to have set New Zealand up for a declaration as he lifted the scoring rate with Vettori after lunch.
A disciplined bowling performance from Zimbabwe had seen them pick up two wickets and restrict the New Zealand scoring on the second morning, but Vettori took just two deliveries after the break to find the boundary.
The pair added 74 runs in 14 overs as they took the attack to Zimbabwe, until Brownlie paid the price for over-aggression as a swipe across the line at a Price delivery resulted in an edge to slip, ending his innings on 63.
Meanwhile Vettori raced to 40 from just 58 deliveries as he took a particular liking to Price, but was caught at slip off the bowling of Mpofu to spark a late collapse.
Morning rain had meant that play was delayed by 45 minutes at the start of the day by a wet outfield, but with lunch pushed back by half an hour only 15 minutes were lost from the opening session.
With conditions freshened up by the rain, and a relatively new second ball still in hand, Njabulo Ncube picked up his first Test wicket in his first over of the day as he snatched the big scalp of Ross Taylor.
The New Zealand captain failed to add to his overnight score of 76 before he chased a wide delivery and edged through to the wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.
Mpofu picked up the other wicket of the first session, surprising BJ Watling with a lifting delivery that caught the edge on its way to Chakabva, who took a good one-handed catch low to his right.
The majority of the morning saw Zimbabwe set defensive fields and bowl strict lines, which allowed the Black Caps to add just 52 runs over the course of 27 overs.
Martin Guptill's second Test century formed the backbone of the New Zealand innings on the first day, when his 109 allowed the tourists to reach 275 for three at stumps on Tuesday evening.
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