Tom Bruce is set to embark on a new chapter in his cricket career, swapping New Zealand black for Scotland blue. The 34-year-old top-order batter will turn out for his new side later this month when Scotland compete in the Canada leg of the Cricket World Cup League 2, starting August 27.

Bruce qualifies through his Edinburgh-born father and is no stranger to the Scottish setup, having represented the Scotland Development side back in 2016 before pursuing his career in New Zealand. Since making his domestic debut for Central Districts in 2014, Bruce has been a key figure in New Zealand’s domestic scene and featured in 17 T20Is for the Black Caps between 2017 and 2020.

Bruce brings big-hitting form and experience to Scotland

Speaking to Cricket Scotland, Bruce said: “There’s a long Scottish history within my family and I know they will be incredibly proud that I am representing Scotland on the world stage. I was involved briefly in the set-up back in 2016, and it was an awesome experience. I’m looking forward to linking up with the group again and helping the team play consistent, quality cricket – and ultimately get us to a World Cup.”

Bruce first rose to prominence in the 2015–16 Super Smash, scoring 223 runs at a strike rate of 140.25. His powerful and inventive hitting earned him a New Zealand call-up for a T20I series against Bangladesh in January 2017. He announced himself with an unbeaten 59 in just his second game but couldn’t maintain that level, finishing with 279 runs at 122.36 in his international career. His final appearance came during New Zealand’s 5-0 home defeat to India in 2020.

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Since then, Bruce has cemented his reputation as a domestic stalwart. He captained Central Districts to the 2024–25 Super Smash title, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 339 runs at 56.50 (strike rate 157.67). He also shone in the Ford Trophy, scoring 431 runs at 43.40, and produced one of the innings of the season in the Plunket Shield – a colossal 345 against Auckland, the third-highest first-class score in New Zealand history.

Bruce joins Scotland squad for Canada leg of World Cup League 2 alongside Davey and Greaves

Scotland head coach Doug Watson is confident Bruce’s experience will be a major asset: “Not only is Tom a world-class cricketer, but he also brings a whole range of experience. He’s going to add massive value both on and off the field in the years ahead, and I’m sure he’ll fit in perfectly.”

Scotland’s head of performance, Steve Snell, echoed the excitement, revealing that talks with Bruce had been ongoing for some time: “He’s proud of his Scottish heritage and sees huge opportunities for both himself and the team moving forward.”

Also named in the squad are seamer Josh Davey, making his first appearance since the 2022 T20 World Cup, and spinner Chris Greaves, fresh from finishing joint third-highest wicket-taker in the ICC T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.

Scotland will face Namibia and host Canada in four ODIs between August 29 and September 6 at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King City, near Toronto. For Bruce, it’s the beginning of a fresh international journey – and perhaps a second chance to make an impact on the global stage.

New Zealand all-rounder Thamsyn Newton has brought her cricketing career to a close, finishing a 14-year journey during which she represented the White Ferns twice in ICC World Cups and off the back of several domestic titles.

Newton, 30, made her international debut in 2015 in a T20I against Sri Lanka, and gave a tidy bowling performance before making her ODI debut in 2016 against Australia, taking the wicket of opening batter Nicole Bolton. The Kiwi played 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is, taking 11 and nine wickets respectively. Her best ODIs include a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, and her best T20I figures of 3/9 came in just her third game.

Overall, opportunities with the bat were limited for Newton, scoring 57 runs in ODIs and 22 in T20Is during her international career. In the domestic space, Newton was known for her big hitting, so it was surprising she didn't clear the boundary in her T20I career. Her last ODI match was in 2017, and her last T20I match was in 2021.

 Domestic Success and International Experience

Newton was a constant presence in New Zealand’s domestic tournaments. She won the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield once with both Canterbury and Wellington. She won the Super Smash four times with Wellington. Her last professional appearance was between the Central Districts in the Women’s One-Day Competition. In that match, she failed to score a run and didn’t bowl.

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The all-rounder had a brief period in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League representing Perth Scorchers in the 2017/18 season. She scored 50 runs in eight innings and took six wickets at an average of 23.33.

A Capacity Athlete and a Valued Competitor

In addition to her cricket, Newton has once again demonstrated her versatility as an athlete by playing rugby for Wellington Pride and Hawke's Bay Tui in the Farah Palmer Cup. Showing that she is a multi-talented athlete.

From making her White Ferns debut to lifting several trophies on the domestic scene, Newton's career has been one of consistency, flexibility, and competition. Her international numbers do not begin to express the value she added to the teams she played for; her contribution (in terms of ball in hand and fielding) will stay in New Zealand women's cricket.

When Newton leaves, she will have memories to treasure, she will have trophies, and she will have the admiration of her teammates and supporters alike - a fitting legacy for a loyal and versatile participant.

New Zealand set their new record in Test cricket after thrashing the hosts Zimbabwe on the third day of the second and final Test match of the series to clinch the away Test series by 2-0. 

After the hosts chose to bat first, they were bowled out for only 125 runs in the first innings. With the record of three 150s, New Zealand scored 601/3 before declaring their innings on the third day morning. On the third day, the Chevrons were bundled out for only 117 runs as the Blackcaps won the Test by an innings and 359 runs. Only Nick Welch (47*) and captain Craig Ervine (17) managed to reach double-digit scores in that innings.

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New Zealand recorded their largest Test win

It was the largest Test victory margin (by an innings) for New Zealand. Their previous record was winning by an innings and 301 runs against Zimbabwe at Napier in 2012. Meanwhile, Blackcaps also recorded the third biggest winning margin (by an innings) in Test cricket history.

Biggest Test victory margins (by an innings)

Zakary Foulkes also set New Zealand Test debut record

While Matt Henry recorded a fifer in the first innings (5/40), Test debutant Zakary Foulkes, who recorded four wickets in the first innings (4/38), also picked up a five-wicket haul in the third innings of the Test as the right-arm medium had the bowling figures of 9-2-37-5. His 9/75 were the best match bowling figures by a New Zealand Test debutant, as he broke Will O’Rourke's previous record 9/93 (vs South Africa in the 2024 Hamilton Test). 

In the third innings of the Test match, Matt Henry (2/16) and Jacob Duffy (2/28) picked up two wickets each, while another debutant right-arm medium fast bowler Matthew Fisher got one wicket (1/22), just like the first innings (1/16). 

On the second day of the second and final Test match against the hosts Zimbabwe, New Zealand achieved the rarest feat in Test cricket during the run-galore day on the field.

After Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 125 runs on Brendan Taylor's international cricket return, Zimbabwe bowlers had a tough day on the second day of the Test match, where New Zealand ended the day on 601/3. Blackcaps batters added 427 runs on the second day, while three of their batters not only scored centuries but also slammed 150s. 

Henry Nicholls and Rachin Ravindra followed Devon Conway's 150 mark

Openers Devon Conway and Will Young had a 162-run partnership for the first wicket. Young scored 74 runs, and Conway continued his batting till 153 off 245 balls (18 fours) when he was bowled by Blessing Muzarabani. While the no.3 batter Jacob Duffy scored 36 runs, the next two batters completed 150s and remained not out at the stumps on the day. Henry Nicholls scored 150 not out off 245 balls (15 fours), and Rachin Ravindra scored 165 not out off just 139 balls (21 fours and 2 sixes). They have already set up a 256-run partnership for the unbroken fourth wicket. 

It was the only third time in Test cricket history when more than two batters recorded 150 or more runs in the same Test innings. In fact, it is the joint record, as previously, three batters hit 150 in the same Test innings only twice, once each by England and India. New Zealand rewrote the rarest record after more than 38 years. 

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Most 150s in the same Test innings

While it was recorded first time in Test cricket during the 1938 The Oval Test against Australia, three English batters with 150s were Leonard Hutton (364), Maurice Leyland (187), and Joe Hardstaff (169 not out).

It was recorded second time during the 1986 Kanpur Test against Sri Lanka, when Indian batters Sunil Gavaskar (176), Mohammad Azharuddin (199), and Kapil Dev (163) set the achievement. 

 

Devon Conway put an end to a two-year drought of a Test hundred as New Zealand tightened their hold over Zimbabwe on Day 2 of the second Test. The left-hand batsman produced a smooth and undefeated 140 by lunchtime, leading New Zealand past 300 and to a total of 306/2 with an overall lead of 181.

When the morning session play resumed, New Zealand was 174/1, leading by 49. The hosts only added nightwatchman Jacob Duffy's wicket to their second-day laundry list as they added 132 runs in the morning session. After starting the day on 78, Conway hit a brisk fifth Test century from just 143 balls, driving Luckie Muzarabani through mid-off for his 13th four. He lifted a clenched fist in the air in celebration. His reaction was equally one of relief that he’d finally reached three figures in a Test match after 16 Tests without a century earlier. 

Duffy also performed a rare appearance with the bat, putting a level of frustration over Zimbabwe with a plucky 36 in a 73-run partnership with Conway before Masekesa broke the stand. A debuting Bennett pulled off a sharp catch at short mid-wicket for Duffy, which paved the way for Henry Nicholls to join Conway and start their innings as the highest on the board. Nicholls was 41 not out at lunch break as the fatigue of the New Zealanders' opponents was starting to show; they struggled with their last touch of resiliency.

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Conway’s Century and Pace Attack Put New Zealand in Complete Control

The groundwork was laid on Day 1 when New Zealand’s new-look pace battery stripped Zimbabwe for just 125 inside two sessions. Matt Henry spearheaded the attack with 5/40, and debutant Zakary Foulkes with 4/38, unsettled the hosts with height and accuracy. Jacob Duffy and Matthew Fisher chipped in, whilst Fisher took the final wicket, a bowled ball from Tanaka Chivanga.

Brendan Taylor provided the only resistance for Zimbabwe in his first Test match in over 3.5 years since his ICC ban. His stoic 44 off 107 balls was in doubt as Zimbabwe lost three wickets in eight balls after lunch, and he looked like the only player who could halt New Zealand’s relentless pace attack. The conceding of Sikandar Raza at leg slip alongside the golden duck of Trevor Gwandu spoke volumes about how competitive the hosts were.

In reply, New Zealand began commanding their reply through a 162-run opening partnership featuring Will Young (74) and Conway. The Zimbabwe fast bowlers struggled to bowl quickly and also didn't cause any issues with pace (which is notably controversial), and they struggled to create swings or exert pressure with their bowling. Their fielding also didn't help their plight. With Conway well and truly in and with a lengthy batting line-up behind him, New Zealand seem to be focused on batting Zimbabwe out of the match, completing a 2-0 series whitewash, in another inconsequential Test in the World Test Championship.

Before their last game in the league stage against the hosts, New Zealand confirmed their top place in the final points table in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe after claiming a comfortable seven-wicket win against South Africa. 

While New Zealand and South Africa both have already qualified for the Final of the tri-series, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner chose to field first in the fifth game of the tournament. After South Africa were restricted to 134/8 in 20 overs, the Blackcaps chased down the target in 15.5 overs after losing only three wickets. By winning the match with 25 balls remaining, it was the fastest T20I chase for New Zealand against South Africa. 

While the Blackcaps recorded their back-to-back T20I wins against Proteas in this tournament, it was their first consecutive T20I victories against the same team. 

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New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: South African innings failed to threaten

South African batting struggled from the early stage of the first innings, as their wickets were falling at regular intervals. Only the opener Reeza Hendricks (41) and George Linde (23*) managed to reach the 20-run marks in that innings. There was no solid partnership in that innings, while the highest was 30 runs for the sixth wicket between Hendricks and Linde. 

Three Blackcaps bowlers bagged two wickets each in that innings, as Adam Milne (2/21) and Mitchell Santner (2/26) controlled the innings along with Jacob Duffy (2/33). 

New Zealand vs South Africa, T20I tri-series: Player of the Match Tim Seifert assured comfortable chase

In reply, the opener and wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert, the Player of the Match, almost single-handedly controlled the successful chasing with his 66 not out off 48 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Darly Mitchell (20*) was the other to reach the 20-run mark in that second innings. Devon Conway (19), Rachin Ravindra (3), and Mark Chapman (10) were dismissed for cheap scores, while Seifert and Mitchell had a 51-run partnership for the unbroken fourth wicket. 

New Zealand continues their domination in the ongoing Tri-Nation T20I series, remaining as the only unbeaten team in the contest. They are on the verge of sneaking into the final stage of the series. Tomorrow (July 22, 2025), they will face South Africa (NZ vs SA) in the second leg of the series. In the first phase, NZ were victorious against the Proteans; Mitchell Santner and his boys defeated SA by 21 runs. After losing against New Zealand, South Africa got back their momentum in their previous match against the host nation, Zimbabwe. SA won the match by 7 wickets.

Now, in the upcoming fixture, New Zealand and South Africa, both teams, will step into Harare Sports Club's field with the hope to maintain the motion. Whenever these two teams confronted each other in recent times, it resulted in an intense battle where SA gained slightly better numbers than the Blackcaps.

NZ vs SA T20I Tri-Nation, Match 5 details:

ZIM vs SA T20I Tri-Nation, Match 5 Live Streaming: The match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website in India.

Match: Match 5

Venue: Harare Sports Club, Harare

Date and Time: Sunday, 20th July, 16:30

Series: T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2025

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The Squads

New Zealand: Mitch Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk).

South Africa: Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (c), Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Simelane, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka.

New Zealand are in flying form in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe as they thrashed the hosts and secured their second-fastest T20I win against any home side in the third game of the tri-series. 

While New Zealand won their first match of the tri-series by 21 runs against South Africa, the Blackcaps skipper Mitchell Santner chose to field first against Zimbabwe at Harare on Friday (July 18). Zimbabwe were restricted to 120/7 in 20 overs, and New Zealand chased down the target in 13.5 overs after losing only two wickets. Winning the match by eight wickets with 37 balls remaining, New Zealand recorded their second-fastest T20I win against any home side, while their record is winning by 10 wickets with 39 balls remaining against Zimbabwe during the 2011 Harare T20I. 

With this win, New Zealand are leading the points table comfortably with four points, while South Africa are in second place with two points. Meanwhile, the hosts Zimbabwe are yet to open their points account. 

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Matt Henry destroyed Zimbabwe batting line-up

New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry, who picked up three wickets in the match against South Africa, once again got three wickets on the Friday match against the hosts Zimbabwe. He finished the innings with the bowling figures of 4-0-26-3. Chevrons' openers Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett provided a stable start, but after their 37-run partnership was broken in the sixth over, the other batters struggled in the entire innings. Only the openers, Madhevere (36) and Bennett (21), managed to reach the 15-run mark in that innings.

Devon Conway led comfortable chase

Although the Blackcaps opener Tim Seifert (3) was dismissed in the second over, Devon Conway controlled the chasing with Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell to secure a comfortable win. Conway scored 59 not out off 40 balls with four fours and two sixes, while Ravindra scored 30 off 19 balls, and Mitchell scored 26 not out off 19 balls. 

After a commanding win against South Africa, New Zealand is now ready to take on Zimbabwe, the host of the ongoing T20I Tri-Nation series. After playing 6 T20 international matches against Zimbabwe, New Zealand is the clear favorite to win today's (July 18, 2025) encounter. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy were the two star performers for the Blackcaps by clinching 3 wickets each. Against ZIM, they will try to do the same. 

Zimbabwe lost their opening fixture against South Africa earlier this week by five wickets. Against a well-balanced SA XI, the Sikandar Raza-led side struggled to push their run rates high. As a result, batting first, Zimbabwe scored only 141 in 20 overs. South Africa, without any such serious trouble, conquered the target. In today's match, Zimbabwe will try to perform a lot better with their bat. 

The batting side of NZ also looked in great shape against South Africa. 75-run innings from Tim Robinson and Bevon Jacobs' unbeaten 44 on debut came as a huge relief for NZ, led by Mitchell Santner. But batting on a Harare Sports Club pitch may not be so easy. The new ball can gain some movements in the initial overs, and then, the spinners can join the party. 

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Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand T20I Tri-Nation match details:

MATCH: Match 3

VENUE: Harare Sports Club, Harare

DATE & TIME: Friday, 18th July, 16:30

SERIES: T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, 2025

Predicted Playing XIs

Zimbabwe (ZIM):

Brian Bennett, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande (WK), Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Trevor Gwandu.

New Zealand (NZ):

Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay, James Neesham, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, and Jacob Duffy.

From a rough start, New Zealand managed a solid win in their first outing in the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe, as they defeated South Africa by 21 runs to earn two points.

After South Africa chose to field first, New Zealand scored 173/5 in 20 overs. In reply, Proteas were all out for 152 runs, as the Blackcaps recorded their second successful defending against South Africa in T20I cricket.

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Tim Robinson and Bevan Jacobs set a record partnership after early falls

Although the New Zealand opener Tim Seifert had a good start, once he was dismissed for 22 runs off 16 balls (four fours) in the third over, the Blackcaps batting faced heat from the Proteas bowling line-up. New Zealand were down to 70/5 before the completion of the 10th over, as all four other batters failed to reach double-digit scores.

However, Tim Robinson and the T20I debutant Bevon Jacobs controlled the second half of the innings strongly, as they set up the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20I history with 103 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket. The record partnership for the sixth wicket is also with New Zealand's name, as Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell set up the 105-run partnership against Sri Lanka during the 2024 Mount Maunganui T20I. 

Robinson recorded his second T20I half-century in 42 balls and scored 75 not out off 57 balls with six fours and three sixes. Meanwhile, the T20I debutant Jacobs scored 44 not out off 30 balls with one four and three sixes. Among South African bowlers, only Kwena Mphaka managed more than one wicket (2/38) in that innings. 

South Africa were never strong at chasing

In reply, South Africa were battling at 50/2 at the end of the powerplay, and soon down to 62/5 in the ninth over. Dewald Brevis once again shone with his bat, while George Linde also produced a fightback. With the help of one four and three sixes, Brevis scored 35 off 18 balls. In the meantime, Linde scored 30 off 20 balls with one four and two sixes. Finally, Gerald Coetzee's 17 runs weren't enough for the Proteas. 

Among the New Zealand bowlers, Matt Henry (3/34) and Jacob Duffy (3/20) both picked up two wickets each. Also, Ish Sodhi took two wickets (2/34) and captain Mitchell Santner had a wicket (1/35).