A swarm of bees has added a little extra buzz to New Zealand's bowling attack on the second day of their tour game against Zimbabwe A in Harare.
Legspinner Ish Sodhi took 4-18 as New Zealand grabbed control, ripping through the home side's tail order to set up the possibility of an outright win.
Allrounder Mitch Santner, returning to the Black Caps after fracturing a finger in late May, says the unexpected apiarian onslaught had sent his teammates sprawling.
"A swarm of bees floated in front of the sight screen there. Boulty hit the deck pretty early and from there, everyone else seemed to hit the deck," he said.
"I was the only one standing, I think you'll find.
"They were quite far away so I don't know why everyone was on the ground. I didn't feel I was in too much danger."
Play resumed once the bees had moved on, the Kiwis reaching 4-154 at stumps to hold a lead of 385 runs after they bowled Zimbabwe A out for 114.
New Zealand's seamers found early life after the Black Caps declared their first innings on their overnight score of 7-345.
Zimbabwe A's top three batsman were all back in the Harare Sports Club pavilion without scoring.
Sean Williams top-scored with 55 for the hosts but otherwise they folded as New Zealand gave all their tour squad's bowlers a workout in a match which doesn't have first-class status. Tim Southee took 2-31 and Doug Bracewell 2-24.
Santner was promoted to open in the second innings and reached 51 before retiring.
Tom Latham also retired, for 24, while captain Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 37, having not batted in the first innings.
The first of two Tests against Zimbabwe starts in Bulawayo on Thursday.
