Blackcaps Build With Comfortable Warmup Win

The Black Caps have tuned up for this week's first cricket test against Zimbabwe with a 259 run victory over Zimbabwe A in Harare.

The hosts have been dismissed for 173 in their second innings, chasing 433 to win.

Batting coach Craig McMillan says it's been good preparation for the first test in Bulawayo starting Thursday night.

"Everyone's happy. It's been three days of hard work, but that's what we've talked about with the conditions over here, you need a lot of patience and you need to be in the game for a long time."

McMillan said they've had a smooth buildup.

"The last 10 daya, where we started in Pretoria with the camp, and came here for the warmup in Harare, they've been really important. We've got two days training before Bulawayo, before the first test which will be high intensity, but everyone's in a really good space."

Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner each claimed two wickets in Zimbabwe A's second innings.

Earlier in the match Ish Sodhi took four quick wickets in the first innings, and multiple Black Caps batsmen retired after getting settled in at the crease.

Radio Sport