Rain dominates on day two after Taylor retired hurt on 122
RAIN brought about an early end to the second day of the one-off Test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe with the hosts in a strong position in Napier. New Zealand were 392 for five when rain forced the players off and then brought about an early abandonment at 15:45hrs local time.
Despite the hosts being in a good position, that could well be outweighed by the news captain Ross Taylor has suffered a reported calf strain.
Taylor had resumed the day on 111 after he had led by example on Thursday with BJ Watling alongside him at the crease.
However, after adding just 11 more, Taylor set off for a run but pulled up limping and despite treatment was forced to retire.
His innings came from just 201 deliveries and included 13 boundaries and two sixes.
Taylor’s departure offered the visitors a glimmer of hope but Watling was soon into his stride, getting on the board with a boundary off Brian Vitori.
He continued in the same vein, taking Kyle Jarvis for 10 off one over as the Zimbabweans showed little aggression.
Doug Bracewell had made just two when he was given a reprieve when Forster Mutizwa dropped what should have been a straightforward catch.
Watling brought up his 50 with a boundary off Hamilton Masakadza and added another single but shortly after rain started to fall forcing the players off for what proved to be an early finish. (PA Sport)

SCORECARD
NEW ZEALAND first innings
B. McCullum lbw Jarvis 83
M. Guptil c Taibu b SW Masakadza 51
K. Williamson run-out 4
R. Taylor retired hurt 122
D. Brownie c Taibu b H Masakadza 0
D. Vettori stp. Taibu b Cremer 38
B. Watling not out 52
D. Bracewell not out 11
Extras: (lb-21, w-2, nb-8) 31
Total: (for 5 wickets off 105.2 overs) 392
Fall of wickets 1-124, 2-131, 3-195, 4-196, 5-278
Bowling: Jarvis 26-6-76-1, Vitori 22.2-3-89-0 (nb-7), SW Masakadza 20-2-83-1 (nb-1, w-2), H. Masakadza 21-6-45-1, Cremer 16-2-78-1.