Highlight
In Christchurch’s inaugural Test, New Zealand thrashes South Africa.
Test one was won by an innings and 276 runs by New Zealand.
Seven sessions were all it took for New Zealand to win the game.
New Zealand won the first Test against South Africa by an innings and 276 runs in just seven innings in Christchurch on Saturday.
South Africa was defeated by New Zealand by an innings and 276 runs in just seven sessions in Christchurch on Saturday, a remarkable success for the Black Caps. New Zealand has only beaten South Africa five times in 46 Tests since 1932, their last victory coming in 2004. Captain Tom Latham exclaimed, “It’s a great day!” with genuine joy. At 34 for three, South Africa opened the day’s play trailing by 387 runs in the first innings. They lost seven wickets in quick succession before lunch and were eventually bowled out for 111 runs.
Latham emphasized the importance of winning the toss and putting South Africa into bat.
On a green pitch, the tourists were bowled out for 95 in their first innings, with Matt Henry taking seven wickets for 23 runs.
Henry Nicholls hit a century and a succession of 50-plus partnerships led New Zealand to 482 in reply, and South Africa’s fate was sealed.
A first-ever series triumph against South Africa is a goal that Latham hopes to achieve in the second Test match. “Fingers crossed,” he remarked.
Without two of their best batsmen — Ross Taylor, who retired, and Kane Williamson, who was injured — as well as strike bowler Trent Boult, who was on paternity leave at the time — they won their first Test since 2008.
“It’s been a long time since we haven’t seen any of those three names who were a crucial part of this side,” Latham said of the absences.
A dejected Dean Elgar was unable to explain why South Africa’s performance had deteriorated since the team’s series win over India last month.
As he put it, “I’m still trying to get my head around it.”
“Our focus has waned somewhat over the past two and a half days, however.
“A superb New Zealand team dominated our game and we were completely outplayed.
“Being the captain and seeing the ball hit (by New Zealand) on both sides of the wicket is incredibly irritating. The answer to that is no.”
Only the small Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne provided any meaningful opposition for the tourists as the third day of the Test wore on and the tourists lost three wickets for four runs.
Bavuma, who stands at 1.62 meters (5.04 feet) and is 22 years old, hit 41 overnight and added 41 runs with Verreynne before being caught leg before wicket by Neil Wagner.
In the next over, Southee removed Verreynne for 30, caught in slips by Kagiso Rabada, who was subsequently dismissed for naught.
Rassie van der Dussen, Bavuma’s first-ball partner, was run out by Henry when he got the delivery to nip back and find a gap between bat and pad.
Zubayr Hamza, who top-scored with 25 in South Africa’s first innings, scored just six off 32 balls before edging Kyle Jamieson to Daryl Mitchell at first-spike.
There were 21 runs by Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman, and Duanne Olivier.
Henry and Wagner each grabbed two wickets, while Southee finished with five for 35.
