Waller and Chakabva hold off New Zealand

An unbroken partnership of 67 between debutants Malcolm Waller and Regis Chakabva put the brakes on New Zealand's charge as Zimbabwe reached tea on 265 for five on day three of the one-off Test here Friday.

Waller and Chakabva came together with Zimbabwe in trouble after Daniel Vettori had removed both Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu in quick succession, but managed to see off the second new ball and guide the home side safely to the tea break.

Waller, the son of former Zimbabwe batsman Andrew, was 42 not out while wicket keeper-batsman Chakabva was unbeaten on a patient 29 from 99 deliveries in Zimbabwe's response to New Zealand's 426 all out.

Taylor was trapped lbw for 50 by the fourth ball after the lunch break, and a careless shot from Taibu saw him caught at mid-off for 20 in Vettori's next over as Zimbabwe threatened to collapse.

The second new ball was taken just five overs later, but Waller and Chakabva showed solid defensive techniques as they successfully batted fast bowlers Chris Martin and Doug Bracewell out of the attack to put Zimbabwe on a firmer footing.

Taylor had put on a 76-run partnership with Vusi Sibanda in the morning session, continuing his excellent form against the Black Caps despite a stuttering start.

Sibanda batted confidently throughout the morning after resuming on his overnight score of 53, but threw his wicket away with a maiden Test century in sight when he attempted to cut a delivery from part-time seamer Dean Brownlie and was caught at gully for 93.

The dismissal was Brownlie's first wicket in any form of cricket, and denied Sibanda a potential first Test century in his sixth match.

Hamilton Masakadza was the first wicket to fall on the day, bowled by Bracewell for his overnight score of 22.