Now it's on to South Africa and a far stiffer challenge for New Zealand's cricketers than that provided by Zimbabwe.
Kane Williamson's team wrapped up their 2-0 series win with a 254-run win in Bulawayo on the final afternoon, albeit with a large helping hand from the umpires.
New Zealand received the assistance of dubious calls by umpires Paul Reiffel and Michael Gould, hastening the end for Zimbabwe, all out for 132 chasing an improbable 387. They didn't have the DRS system to help them, but the hosts would be well within their rights to be testy at their treatment from the officials.
The cricket was one-sided, in that Zimbabwe were in battling mode from the start of the series; New Zealand were setting the table.
New Zealand's batsmen had a strong collective series. There were six centuries -- two apiece to Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, one each to Williamson and BJ Watling. Taylor wasn't dismissed in his three innings, which produced 364 runs.
"Ross had an unbelievable series. We knew when it was our opportunity to bat, big runs had to be scored to give our bowlers a lot of overs to try and let the wicket deteriorate and he was a huge part of that," Williamson said.
Neil Wagner was, by a distance, the most effective bowler, taking 11 wickets at 17 each, while spinners Ish Sodhi (eight) and Mitch Santner (six) got in some good work. There were six apiece for senior seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
New Zealand produced early penetration with the new ball and there was the pleasing sight of a touch more reverse swing from the seamers later in the innings'.
The first test against the South Africans is in Durban, beginnning on Friday, and New Zealand are likely facing one selection issue.
They may figure taking two spinners in a luxury. Given his greater batting prowess -- even though he wasn't required to bat at all in the Zimbabwe tests -- Santner will be the choice to play, if one is to drop out for a seamer.
Doug Bracewell and Matt Henry are the options for fourth seamer, with Bracewell probably slightly ahead.
The other thought will be on the No 5 batting position where Henry Nicholls hasn't been grasping his chance.
In two innings in Zimbabwe, where the other batsmen have filled their boots, Nicholls scored 18 and 15.
- David Leggat
