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ToggleNew Zealand secured a commanding 281-run victory against South Africa in the first Test of their two-match series in Mount Maunganui. The New Zealand team took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing series, wrapping up the win with a day remaining in the opening Test match.
The Black Caps secured their second-largest Test victory in terms of runs. New Zealand is closer to achieving its first-ever Test series victory over South Africa. Rachin Ravindra earned the Player of the Match accolade for his maiden double-century contribution.
Rachin Ravindra Smashes His Maiden Double Century for New Zealand
The Proteas included six debutants as their key players engaged in domestic T20 matches. New Zealand posted a formidable 511-run total in the first innings against the inexperienced South African side, with centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.
Kane Williamson notched his 30th Test century, while Rachin Ravindra achieved his maiden double century. Proteas captain Neil Brand claimed six wickets for 119 runs, with Ruan de Swardt securing two and Dane Paterson and Tshepo Moreki each picking up one.
Responding to New Zealand’s dominant total, South Africa were bowled out for 162 runs in the first innings. The Proteas faced a relentless bowling attack, with Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner claiming three wickets each. Ravindra and Kyle Jamieson each secured two wickets.
Kane Williamson Reaches His Second Century Of Match
New Zealand skipper Tim Southee opted not to enforce the follow-on, granting rest to his bowlers. The home team adopted an aggressive approach in the second innings of the match. Williamson secured his second century of the match, scoring 109 runs off 132 balls.
Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway failed to make an impact with the bat in both innings. Rachin Ravindra managed to score just 12 runs off 26 deliveries. The hosts declared their second innings at 179/4, setting a mammoth target of 529 runs for the visiting team.
Kyle Jamieson Takes Four Wickets In Second Innings
The tourists faced an early setback as debut openers Neil Brand and Edward Moore fell within the first four overs of the day. Neil Brand was dismissed for three by Tim Southee in the third over. Moore was dismissed without scoring in the following over by Matt Henry.
Zubayr Hamza and Raynard van Tonder showed promise but failed to convert their starts into substantial scores. Kyle Jamieson ended their 63-run partnership by dismissing van Tonder. Jamieson also picked up the wicket of Hamza, limiting the opposition to 73/4.
David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen built a strong 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket, with Bedingham scoring a career-best 87 runs off 96 balls. However, Bedingham’s innings ended after tea when he mistimed a pull shot to midwicket in Jamieson’s bowling.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 511 (Rachin Ravindra 240, Kane Williamson 118, Neil Brand 6-119)
South Africa 162 (Keegan Petersen 45, Matt Henry 3-31, Mitchell Santner 3-34)
New Zealand 179 for 4 Dec. (Kane Williamson 109, Devon Conway 29, Neil Brand 2-52)
South Africa 247 (David Bedingham 87, Kyle Jamieson 4-58, Mitchell Santner 3-59)
Also read: Record Galore As Kane Williamson Smacks Multiple Centuries In 1st Test Against South Africa
