Ross Taylor and BJ Watling have shared an unbeaten stand of 220 as New Zealand went to tea in complete command on 5-543 on day three of the first Test against Zimbabwe.
Taylor plundered a 14th Test century on Saturday and is unbeaten on 156, with Watling closing in on three figures on 95 not out on a flat batting wicket to give the tourists a lead of 379.
It makes a mockery of the ease with which New Zealand bowled Zimbabwe out for 164 on the opening day, and the lead already looks far too much for the brittle home batting order.
Taylor's century ended a barren run in his past seven Test innings, the first time he's passed 50 since bludgeoning 290 against Australia in Perth in November.
The Zimbabwe bowlers have toiled in the heat and looked devoid of ideas as the tourists comfortably manoeuvred the ball around the ground.
After resuming on 315 for four, nightwatchman Ish Sodhi (11) was the only wicket to fall on day three as he became the first Test victim for debutant seamer Michael Chinouya when he edged a catch to replacement wicketkeeper Brian Chari.
