NEW Zealand dominated on a flat track as they took control of the only Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
A century from Martin Guptill and an unbeaten 76 from Ross Taylor saw them reach 275 for three at the close.
Opener Guptill went for 109 late in the day and Zimbabwe might have made it a double breakthrough as an edge from BJ Watling was somehow allowed to fall harmlessly between Regis Chakabva and Ray Price in the slips in the penultimate over.
There was an element of good fortune for Zimbabwe in all three wickets that fell. Brendon McCullum will have been kicking himself for a rash shot early on, while a bizarre run-out accounted for Kane Williamson one run shy of his half-century.
There may have been an element of fatigue in the departure of Guptill, who should have done better with a delivery from Hamilton Masakadza that sat up nicely, only for him to hit it straight to Tatenda Taibu at midwicket.
New Zealand had moved the score on to 40 when Kyle Jarvis made the breakthrough as McCullum played on, sending a bottom edge back on to his stumps to go for 14.
Guptill was unabashed by his fellow opener’s departure, though, and hit one towering six before offering a rare chance to Zimbabwe in the penultimate over before lunch. He hit a delivery from Price low and hard back towards the bowler, who got his hands up but could not hang on.
Williamson had reached the interval on 37, but added only 12 more before gifting his wicket to the hosts. He came out of his crease to defend a delivery from Price, prodding the ball back, but quick thinking from the bowler saw him snatch the ball and throw at the stumps before the slow-reacting Williamson could make his ground.
Guptill moved on to 99 with a towering six off Price before passing three figures moments later with another boundary.
He had just struck his 11th four off Masakadza when he was caught to bring Watling to the crease. (PA Sport)

NEW ZEALAND first innings
M. Guptil c Taibu b Masakadza    109
B. Mc Cullum b Jarvis    14
K. Williamson run-out    49
R. Taylor not out    76
B. Watling not out    16
Extras: (b-7, lb-1, w-2, nb-1)    11
Total: (3 wickets off 90 overs)    275
Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-115, 3-247.
Bowling: K. Jarvis 18-5-53-1 (nb-1, w-1), N. Ncube 16-2-50-0, C Mpofu 20-3-68-0 (w-1), R. Price 26-2 75-0, H .Masakadza 7-3-13-1, M. Waller 3-0-8-0.