In a thrilling T20I triseries clash at Harare Sports Club on July 16, New Zealand’s Tim Robinson delivered a career-best performance, smashing an unbeaten 75 off just 57 balls. The secret behind his explosive innings? According to Robinson, it’s the “prime Zimbabwean beef” — and he’s more than happy to give credit to the country’s famous red meat.
Zimbabwe’s Hospitality Fuels Kiwi Success
“Zimbabwe, as a country, I love it so far,” Robinson told reporters after guiding New Zealand to a 21-run win over South Africa. “The climate’s fantastic and the people have been very nice and very accommodating. And I love all the steaks. That’s my favourite. I love the red meat over here; it’s fantastic.”
It wasn’t just the steaks on the grill that sizzled—Robinson lit up the field after New Zealand found themselves in trouble at 27/1 inside three overs. Despite early setbacks, Robinson’s cool-headed approach turned the game around.
Robinson & Jacobs Build a Winning Partnership
The match-changing moment came when Robinson partnered with debutant Bevon Jacobs. The duo stitched together a match-winning 103-run stand, helping New Zealand post a competitive 173/5.
“We were struggling when we lost those early wickets,” Robinson admitted. “The way me and Bev thought about it was the longer we stayed, the easier runs would come. We wanted to take it deep.”
Jacobs, who remained unbeaten on 44 off 30 balls, impressed everyone with his big-hitting prowess. “He’s quite big and you think he should hit a big ball, and he sure does,” Robinson noted. “I think he’s going to play a lot of cricket in future.” Jacobs was signed by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2025 but hasn’t yet made his debut.
Bowlers Seal Victory for New Zealand
Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy did the rest with the ball, bagging three wickets each to bundle out South Africa for 152 in 18.2 overs, securing a convincing victory for the Black Caps.
Robinson’s focus on staying grounded also came through in his post-match comments. “The one thing you have to do as a cricketer is to try and be as grounded as you can be — be where your feet are and try and play the ball that comes to you.”
New Zealand Wins Local Hearts in Harare
Interestingly, Robinson noticed a wave of local support in Harare. “My theory is it’s a testament to the way we want to play cricket and treat others,” he said. But local sentiment likely runs deeper—many Zimbabweans have long felt overlooked by their southern neighbors, with South Africa last touring Zimbabwe in 2014.
With Robinson’s form peaking and Zimbabwe’s passionate crowd backing them (at least against South Africa), New Zealand has found both fans and form on this African tour.
📌 Final Thoughts
Robinson’s maiden T20I fifty, built on resilience and a love for Zimbabwean steaks, is the kind of story that resonates with cricket lovers everywhere. As the series progresses, fans will be keen to see if the Kiwi star can cook up more match-winning knocks.
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