Zimbabwe amassed 586 in their first innings, thanks to hundreds from Sean Williams, Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett, as well as a quickfire 68 from opener Ben Curran on Test debut.

Their previous record – 563-9 declared – was achieved in 2001 against West Indies at Harare. On that occasion, a 17-year-old Hamilton Masakadza top-scored with 119, becoming the third-youngest men's Test centurion in the process. Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful, later that year in fact, pushed Masakadza down to fourth on that particular list with a century against Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe have not been among the busiest Test nations for some time. Only once since 2005 have they featured in more than five Tests in a year – in 2013. The ongoing Bulawayo Test is just their fourth since the start of 2022, a far cry from their heyday around the turn of the century when it was not unusual for them to participate in between eight to 11 Tests per year.

They are one of three teams – alongside Test newbies Afghanistan and Ireland – to have not registered a 600-plus score in Test cricket.

Highest Test totals by nation

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