Daniel Vettori's 20th five-wicket haul put New Zealand in firm control of the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe here on Thursday.
Vettori took five for 70 as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 313 before New Zealand closed day three on 28 for two, giving it an overall lead of 141.
Zimbabwe's innings was a story of missed opportunities, with Vusi Sibanda falling short of a maiden Test century and Brendan Taylor dismissed at a critical time after making a promising half-century.
The host began on 82 for one and put on a couple of solid partnerships.
However, it fell short of the big total as its weak tail folded and Malcolm Waller was left stranded on 72 not out.
Sibanda and Tatenda Taibu were the most culpable as far as wasted opportunities were concerned. Sibanda (93) gave part-time seamer Dean Brownlie his first wicket in any form of cricket after a 76-run stand with Taylor while Taibu threw his wicket away.
Scoreboard
New Zealand — 1st innings: 426.
Zimbabwe — 1st innings: T. Mawoyo lbw Vettori 5, V. Sibanda c Taylor b Brownlie 93, H. Masakadza b Bracewell 22, B. Taylor lbw b Vettori 50, T. Taibu c Patel b Vettori 20, M. Waller (not out) 72, R. Chakabva (run out) 37, R. Price lbw b Vettori 0, K. Jarvis c Taylor b Martin 6, C. Mpofu c Williamson b Vettori 0, N. Ncube b Martin 3, Extras (b-3, w-1, nb-1): 5; Total (in 121.5 overs): 313.
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-83, 3-159, 4-193, 5-198, 6-284, 7-286, 8-299, 9-300.
New Zealand bowling: Martin 25.5-6-74-2, Bracewell 23-12-51-1, Vettori 43-13-70-5, Patel 23-1-91-0, Brownlie 4-0-13-1, Williamson 2-0-9-0, Guptill 1-0-2-0.
New Zealand — 2nd innings: B. McCullum lbw b Price 11, M. Guptill b Jarvis 0, K. Williamson (batting) 13, J. Patel (batting) 4; Total (for two wkts in seven overs): 28.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-23.
Zimbabwe bowling: Jarvis 4-0-14-1, Ncube 2-0-12-0, Price 1-0-2-1.
