Fast bowler Matt Henry took 6/39 as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 149 on Wednesday in its first Test match against New Zealand in almost nine years. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine won the toss and hoped his top-order batters would score runs, but the home team was dismissed within 2-and-a-half sessions on the opening day, recording its second-lowest innings total of the year. New Zealand ended the day at 92/0, with Devon Conway unbeaten on 51 after completing his 12th test half century, and Will Young solid at 41 not out. How New Zealand Dominated Zimbabwe on Day 1? The return of Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, and Sikandar Raza in the longer format did not help against Henry’s precise bowling, which consistently challenged the batters. New Zealand’s sharp fielding helped them win the tri-series trophy last week in Harare when Henry bowled a superb last over, conceding only three runs with South Africa close to victory. However, on Wednesday, New Zealand missed two catching opportunities when top scorer Ervine (39) and Tafadzwa Tsiga (30) were dropped early in their innings. Despite these chances, both batters struggled during their 54-run partnership against Henry and Nathan Smith (3/20), with third seamer Will O’Rourke conceding just two runs per over in his 13 overs. Henry quickly dismantled the top-order. Mitchell Santner, captaining the Black Caps for the first time in the absence of the injured Tom Latham, hoped his fast bowlers would utilise a soft pitch after losing the toss and being asked to field first. Henry did not disappoint. He secured the outside edges of Bennett (6) and Curran (13) during his impressive opening spell of seven overs. He then dismissed Nick Welch (27) just before lunch, leaving Zimbabwe in trouble at 67-4. Smith had reduced Zimbabwe to 31/3 when Sean Williams (2) chopped a short ball onto his stumps before Ervine and Welch found some boundaries against spinners Santner and Michael Bracewell. Raza was out for just two runs after lunch as he fended Henry’s sharp short ball, providing an easy catch to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Ervine got a reprieve when Conway dropped a sharp catch at point, which could have given O’Rourke his first wicket. Smith missed a low return catch of Tsiga when the batter was on 18. New Zealand’s pressure finally took its toll when Smith trapped both batters’ leg before wicket in successive overs. Smith was fortunate to win an lbw decision against Ervine, as TV replays suggested the ball might have missed the leg stump. Henry quickly polished off the tail, with Santner taking a diving catch to dismiss Blessing Muzarabbani. New Zealand has won 11 of its 17 test matches against Zimbabwe and drawn six. This is the first match between the two teams since 2016 in cricket’s traditional format. Zimbabwe has a poor home test record, with its last win coming against Pakistan in 2013. New Zealand, playing its first test of the year, is missing several regulars, with Latham recovering from a shoulder injury and Glenn Phillips ruled out of the series due to a groin strain sustained during the Major League Cricket competition in the U.S. Kane Williamson was unavailable for the series, and fast bowler Kyle Jamieson took time out to be at home for the birth of his first child. In Latham’s absence, Santner became the 32nd test captain for the Black Caps. He led New Zealand to the tri-series title last week in Harare, beating South Africa in the final in the white ball format. This series is not part of the World Test Championship. Zimbabwe has played seven test matches this year, losing six and winning one. (With inputs from AP)