The Kiwi contingent minus their skipper, Ross Taylor, who will take no further part in the series due to a calf injury, were at their best on a pitch where they scored 495 runs before declaring  their first innings.

After most of Day 2 was washed due to rain, the hosts batted on to add 103 runs, with the main provider being BJ Watling, who scored his maiden Test century. The Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman remained unbeaten on 102 and was given good support by Tim Southee (44).

It took the hosts 28.5 overs to dismantle Zimbabwe in the first innings with no player, except for Malcolm Waller (23), reaching the double digit mark. All Black Caps bowlers got into their groove to share the wickets as their opponents were brushed aside on 51.

Soon the Kiwi’s were back on the park and again, Zimbabwe again faltered badly against veteran Chris Martin’s sublime spell where he took a six-wicket haul.Martin got rid of the openers before accounting for  Brendan Taylor to get the visitors reeling at 3 for 5. The situation turned for worse with Doug Bracewell grabbing two to send half of the opposition side back to the pavilion with only 12 runs posted on the board.

It looked as if the Zimbabwe would skittle on an even lower score but the late order finally conjured up brief resistance with Regis Chakabva leading the way with a rare commanding knock of 63.

It helped the team to cross the 100-run mark but Martin again dismantled the tail to end the game with Zimbabwe making 143 – defeated by an innings and 301 runs.