South Africa tour of New Zealand (2024)

NZ is 2 down now. COnways depart. He has not had a good run of form recently. Rachin is now in the middle. The Lead is 455 runs now.

When will the declaration come? It might be tomorrow somewhere around lunchtime.
 
Stumps on Day 3. South Africa is done and dusted and they truly deserve it for what damage they did to Test cricket by sending a D-grade squad to New Zealand.

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Black Caps vs South Africa: Kane Williamson's second ton has crushing victory looming

First test, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: New Zealand 511 and 179-4 (Kane Williamson 109) versus South Africa 162 (Keegan Petersen 45; Matt Henry 3-31, Mitchell Santner 3-34)

The best-case scenario for the Black Caps; the worst-case scenario for all others concerned.

That appears to be the obvious outcome from the first test against South Africa, with the hosts on track for a comprehensive victory by the end of day three in Mount Maunganui.

At stumps, New Zealand were 179-4 in their second innings, giving them a lead of 528 runs with two days to play.

Kane Williamson took the opportunity when captain Tim Southee opted not to enforce the follow-on - after dismissing South Africa for a paltry 162 - to make his second century of the test.

It was the 31st of his career, after he made 118 in his first innings, and saw him become the fifth New Zealand batsman to make centuries in both innings of a test - joining Glenn Turner, Geoff Howarth, Andrew Jones and Peter Fulton.

Resuming at 80-4 - trailing New Zealand’s first-innings tally by 431 runs - the understrength visiting side lost wickets regularly to be dismissed during the second session while still trailing by 349 runs.

A reasonable smattering of sun-baked bodies on the bank at Bay Oval on Waitangi Day was an indication of the appeal of this series.

There’s a desire to see their much-admired national side perform, and perform well - Williamson’s excellence will always draw a crowd, and Rachin Ravindra’s appeal is an added boon.

But once the initial interest in whether Neil Brand’s under-resourced underdogs could force their rivals into a fair fight (Narrator’s voice: “They couldn't”), the contest had minimal appeal.

With sell-out crowds looming for Australia’s two-test visit to the Basin Reserve and Hagley Oval, New Zealand Cricket won’t be overly fretting - but it’s going to be a hard sell to entice anyone bar the should-be-committed cricket tragic to be be glued to the developments in the second test between the mismatched combatants in Hamilton starting next Tuesday.

A wide margin of victory for New Zealand would also reinforce the opinions of many that Cricket South Africa terribly undervalued the test game with their insistence their stars played in the domestic T20 competition, even when the scheduling clash became unavoidable.

It’s also going to be a massive task for rookie skipper Brand to lift his men for what plays out in Mount Maunganui first, and then again next week.

Still, that’s beyond the concerns of the Black Caps XI, who professionally asserted their predicted dominance.

Such was New Zealand’s utter control on the scoreboard that Southee didn’t have to fret over the follow-on decision.

When Ravindra bowled Dane Paterson to end South Africa’s first innings after only 72.5 overs, there was no ‘wrong’ option for the Black Caps skipper.

His pace bowlers would still have had enough legs to run in for the remainder of the day, then put them up overnight for what expectantly would have been a cleaning-up session on day four - Kyle Jamieson topped the overs count for the quicks with 15, one more than Matt Henry and two more than their leader.

There was also ample time for his batters to have a second dig, bat at whatever pace they felt comfortable, and still have oodles of time on the final two days to bowl out the Proteas for a second time, after a declaration had been made with a stonking lead.

In opting for the latter option, he allowed opener Devon Conway (29 from 68 balls) a second bat in the test - which wasn’t fully convincing - while Williamson struck 12 fours and a six in romping to 109 from 132 balls.

The first-innings century-maker was dropped by Edward Moore - who made the same mistake on day one which helped him reach that landmark - with an absolute goober at deep square leg, on 53.

When South Africa resumed their first innings on Tuesday morning, New Zealand soon revealed they had multiple ways of picking up wickets.

One of them was courtesy of some injudicious shot-making. Having been so disciplined and accurate with the ball, with limited resources, it was a surprise to see the tourists eschew a ‘dig in’ attitude - that may occur second time around.

Henry quickly put the Proteas on the back foot again with two early wickets before Santner’s test career revitalisation continued apace, as he took 3-34 from 21 overs in total, which included 16 overs unchanged on Tuesday.

SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/35016...msons-second-ton-has-crushing-victory-looming
 
528/4 . Bat for an hour , get too 600 & declare . Ball is turning so should be able to wrap it up in 70-80 overs . Incidentally , Rabada is free from his T20 engagement & should replace someone in squad for the 2nd Test .
 
Early strikes for Southee and Henry before resistance from Hamza (31*) and van Tonder (26*) at Bay Oval! 467 runs for South Africa or 8 wickets the equation.

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South Africa is on the verge of losing this test match and they truly deserve it. 198/6 now, 3rd session is ongoing atm, still another day left for New Zealand to seal the deal.
 
It will soon be over, Congrats to New Zealand for beating a D-grade team who deserved this defeat due to the joke they made of test cricket.

8 down now for 220, still 309 runs needed.
 
The match is over. New Zealand won the match by 281 runs. Big defeat for the proteas. Rachin Ravindra has been named the Player of the match.

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Kyle Jamieson leads Black Caps to 281-run win over South Africa

At Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: Black Caps 511 & 179/4 dec beat South Africa 162 & 247 all out (David Bedingham 87; Kyle Jamieson 4-58, Mitchell Santner 3-59) by 281 runs. Click here for the full scorecard.

One win down, one to go to claim the series.

The Black Caps began the fourth day of the first test against South Africa by declaring their second innings closed at 179-4 with a lead of 528.

In the end they only needed a 28-run buffer, as they bowled the visitors out in 80 overs for 247 on Wednesday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Seamer Kyle Jamieson took 4-58, including a key double breakthrough just after tea, while Mitchell Santner picked up 3-59 and wrapped up the job at 5.45pm.

South African captain Neil Brand was given a reprieve early when he successfully reviewed a caught behind decision off Matt Henry, but only lasted until the next over when he was bowled by Tim Southee for three.

Edward Moore the finished his part in a match he’ll want to quickly forget, after dropping Kane Williamson twice, when he hit Henry straight to Devon Conway at extra cover and had to depart for a duck.

Raynard van Tonder and Zubayr Hamza showed more fight, making it to lunch together with their partnership worth 57 and their team’s total at 62-2.

They lasted fewer than three overs after the break, as Kyle Jamieson returned and had van Tonder caught by Tom Latham at first slip for 31. The towering seamer struck again in his next opener, removing Hamza for 36, caught by Southee at mid-on off a top-edged pull.

With new batters in place at either end, the Black Caps had their tails up, chasing an extra day off in the Bay of Plenty on Thursday to go with the one already scheduled for Friday. But by tea, they were back on their haunches, as David Bedingham and Kegan Petersen became the new source of frustration.

South Africa were 173-4 at the break, with Bedingham on 84 - profiting as Southee tried a short-ball attack with a 7-2 leg-side field - and Petersen on 15. Jamieson took over the short-ball duties after tea and got Bedingham with his third ball, caught by Santner at deep square leg for 87.

Operation short-ball also accounted for Petersen, for 16, caught by Rachin Ravindra at fine leg. Glenn Phillips then picked up the first wicket for spin, when Clyde Fortuin pulled him into Latham at short leg and up into wicketkeeper Tom Blundell’s safe hands when on 11.

Santner had Duanne Olivier caught by Daryl Mitchell at first slip for one, then - after a while - trapped Tshepo Moreki LBW. The final man to go was Dane Paterson, caught at long-on by Kane Williamson.

The second test in Hamilton starts next Tuesday, with the Black Caps looking for a win or a draw to secure their first series win over South Africa at the 17th time of trying.

SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350170720/kyle-jamieson-leads-black-caps-281-run-win-over-south-africa
 
Daryl Mitchell will miss the second Tegel Test against South Africa and the KFC T20I series against Australia in an attempt to allow an ongoing foot injury to heal.

It was hoped recent periods of rest, including sitting out the 5th KFC T20I against Pakistan and the Dream11 Super Smash Finals, would allow the injury to heal, but with Mitchell still experiencing discomfort it was decided a focused period of rehabilitation was necessary.

Canterbury bowler Will O’Rourke will join the squad in Hamilton as planned, but Mitchell’s withdrawal means all remaining members of the squad for the 1st Test at Bay Oval will now travel to Hamilton.

BLACKCAPS head coach Gary Stead said the decision was based on a long-term view to ensure Mitchell is fully fit for the Tegel Test series against Australia starting on February 29.

“Daryl is a hugely important member of the squad in all three formats and ensuring he is in the best shape is vital with the period of matches to come,” said Stead.

“Based on the schedule ahead, we feel now is an appropriate time for Daryl to complete a period of rehabilitation.”

The BLACKCAPS travel to Hamilton on Saturday morning ahead of the second Test against South Africa which starts at Seddon Park on Tuesday.
 
New Zealand has announced its squad for the 2nd test against the D-grade team of SOuth Africa. Want them to white wash proteas so they never do this kind of mockery again with Test cricket.

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Toss: South Africa won the toss and chose to bat


New Zealand Playing XI:

  1. Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper Batter)
  2. Devon Conway (Wicketkeeper Batter)
  3. Kane Williamson (Top-Order Batter)
  4. Rachin Ravindra (Batting Allrounder)
  5. Will Young (Top-Order Batter)
  6. Tom Blundell (Wicketkeeper Batter)
  7. Glenn Phillips (Allrounder)
  8. Matt Henry (Bowler)
  9. Tim Southee (c) (Bowler)
  10. Neil Wagner (Bowler)
  11. William O’Rourke
South Africa Playing XI:

  1. Neil Brand (c) (Batting Allrounder)
  2. Clyde Fortuin † (Wicketkeeper Batter)
  3. Raynard van Tonder (Middle-Order Batter)
  4. Zubayr Hamza (Batter)
  5. David Bedingham (Middle-Order Batter)
  6. Keegan Petersen (Top-Order Batter)
  7. Ruan de Swardt
  8. Shaun von Berg (Bowling Allrounder)
  9. Dane Piedt (Bowler)
  10. Tshepo Moreki (Bowler)
  11. Dane Paterson (Bowler)
 
SOuth Africa is not in a good position ATM. 6 down for 151 runs is not a score they would be proud of. Kiwis on top.
 
Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg saved the day for their team with a solid 70-run stand for the 7th Wicket.

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Get a start, then depart: South Africa kept in check by Black Caps in second test

At Seddon Park, Hamilton: South Africa 220-6 off 89 overs (Ruan de Swardt 55no, David Bedingham 39, Shaun von Berg 34no, Raynard van Tonder 32; Rachin Ravindra 3-33) v Black Caps.

You can’t accuse South African captain Neil Brand of not being bold.

Not when, on a green-tinged Hamilton pitch, he wins the toss and bats − just the fifth time that has been done in the last 50 tests in New Zealand, and the second time in the last 11 at Seddon Park − as his side aim to avoid an historic series loss to the Black Caps.

But when the visiting skipper addresses his troops following Tuesday’s first day of the second test, he will know they have missed a golden chance to stamp some real authority on this contest, save for some late heroics from No 7 Ruan de Swardt (55 no) and debutant Shaun von Berg (34no) which have the Proteas 220-6 at stumps.

On a ground the Black Caps are unbeaten at in their last eight tests, and on a pitch Kiwi captain Tim Southee admitted he would have bowled on, Brand went for the aggressive approach, no doubt mindful he sent the hosts in at Bay Oval and saw them rack up 511, while in the last test played in Hamilton, in 2020, an inserted home side amassed 519-7 declared against the West Indies.

Undermanned thanks to their national governing body’s decision to leave high-profile players back home to play their domestic T20 competition, and coming off a 281-run hiding in the first test at Mt Maunganui, the inexperienced Proteas lineup simply had to step up.

And for large parts they did, in front of a smattering of fans on the sun-soaked banks at Seddon. But at the same time, there were sharp reminders that test cricket is a different ball game, against a willing Black Caps bowling unit, featuring debutant Will O’Rourke and a hungry recalled Neil Wagner, as Kyle Jamieson sat out due to back soreness.

Lady Luck, it has to be said, was also not exactly on the Proteas’ side − as promoted opener Clyde Fortuin fell for a golden duck thanks to a sensational diving catch in the gully by Glenn Phillips off Matt Henry, and first-test standout David Bedingham (39) was gone in bizarre fashion, hitting into his foot to Will Young at short leg off Rachin Ravindra.

After plenty of starts for the batters at the Mount, Brand had, on the eve of this match, implored his side to do the good things for longer. But, largely stoic and tight in both front and back-foot defence, they could just not sustain the fight.

The skipper got to 25 before becoming O’Rourke’s maiden test scalp, lbw to one jagging back, then Wagner was rewarded when he had Raynard van Tonder (32) fending a lifting delivery for a smart catch by Tom Latham at gully.

Brand would then have been livid with everything about Zubayr Hamza’s dismissal, the eight-test ‘veteran’ having gutsed it out for 20 off 99 balls then losing the plot with a wild hoick of Ravindra to the groundsman’s shed − where he could have been advised to walk off to rather than the changing room − and lobbing a catch to point.

When Keegan Petersen followed in Ravindra’s next over, hard-hands-ing one to Southee at slip, as the part-time tweaker enjoyed turn and bounce in a 21-over stint that must have left a left-out Mitchell Santner musing, it was an all-too-expected story with the tourists tumbling to 101-5.

Chugging along at two runs per over, the Proteas just couldn’t get things moving. That was until de Swardt and von Berg brought some scoring energy, hitting 15 fours − almost all behind square − and turning strike over, in a promising 70-run unbeaten stand either side of the new ball.

Could it be enough to kick the Proteas onto something they can bowl at?

SOURCE: STUFF.CO.NZ
 
Pointless series this. Plenty of their usual players could have turned up for this Test as the SA20 has already finished. Sad state of affairs.

Just award New Zealand the points and save everyone the effort. Really disappointing from South Africa.
 
Its looking more like a South Africa Z side.

Indeed. Six debutants in the first Test, so more than half of the South Africa team. That has got to be a record in the modern era. Some of these blokes from first class cricket must be on top of the world, they will feel like they’ve won a competition to be playing Tests. A joke really.
 
Indeed. Six debutants in the first Test, so more than half of the South Africa team. That has got to be a record in the modern era. Some of these blokes from first class cricket must be on top of the world, they will feel like they’ve won a competition to be playing Tests. A joke really.
And take a look at this moreki guy. I am not sure how he got picked for A tour in the first place. He has poor stats in domestics yet he got picked for A tour. Not only that, he now gets to play for SA against nz lol.
 
And take a look at this moreki guy. I am not sure how he got picked for A tour in the first place. He has poor stats in domestics yet he got picked for A tour. Not only that, he now gets to play for SA against nz lol.
This is South Africa's D-team for me. These guys are a bunch of nobodies in the domestics and yet they are here to face the kiwis in the series that was also related to the World Test CHampionship. South Africa made a joke of this series and they deserve it to loose badly.
 
This is South Africa's D-team for me. These guys are a bunch of nobodies in the domestics and yet they are here to face the kiwis in the series that was also related to the World Test CHampionship. South Africa made a joke of this series and they deserve it to loose badly.
I can think of 5 different players SA can choose to make this team much stronger excluding their main team players.

Beddingham and Keegan I thought were their budding stars but tbh they have disappointed.
 
After getting South Africa out for 242 in the 1st inning of the 2nd Test match of the series, New Zealand is not having a good day with the bat as well. 7 down now for 165. This test match is heading towards an exciting low-scoring thriller.
 
New Zealand 189-9 still trail by 59 runs can this south African team surprise New Zealand
 
It was a great day for the African side. They have a lead of 31 runs as the day 2 end with Kiwis bowled out for 211.

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South Africa stun Black Caps on day two of second test in Hamilton

Second test, at Seddon Park, Hamilton: South Africa 242 (Ruan de Swardt 64; Will O’Rourke 4-59) versus New Zealand 211 (Kane Williamson 43, Tom Latham 40; Dane Piedt 5-89, Dane Paterson 3-39). Click here for full scoreboard

The Black Caps have said all along they expected South Africa to betray their 'written off' status and fiercely defend their record of never having lost a test series to their rivals.

Now those words are clearly not just hollow platitudes - as the most hardened cynics may have suggested - as a prospective test series triumph for the hosts in Hamilton teeters.

At stumps, New Zealand had been bowled out in their first innings for a miserable 211, after South Africa were dismissed for 242 in the first session of day two on Wednesday.

New Zealand won the first test of the two-match series in Mount Maunganui last week by 281 runs and were expected to repeat the dose in Hamilton to claim a 2-0 series win - the first in their test history over the Proteas in 17 attempts.

The underdogs got plenty of bite from two great Danes on day two at Seddon Park. Crafty off-spinner Dane Piedt - bizarrely not selected for the first test at Bay Oval - captured 5-89 while seamer Dane Paterson took 3-39 from 17 overs.

Against a bowling line-up which wouldn’t be within cooee of a test place if it wasn’t for South Africa’s top players contesting the just-completed domestic T20 competition, the home side’s batters failed on a number of fronts - application and shot selection high among that.

What seemed like a relatively simple task of seeing off the understrength tourists to make history and then tackling the upcoming two-test series against Australia has suddenly become a pitched battle.

What national selection manager Sam Wells and head coach Gary Stead wouldn’t have expected at the start of the summer was a discussion over the form and place of Devon Conway.

The opener made a three-ball duck, edging Paterson through to keeper Clyde Fortuin, to continue a rotten run which has seen him tally just 117 runs for the national side in his past 11 knocks in all formats.

Just when Will Young - batting at No 5 in this test with Daryl Mitchell out injured - looked like stating a strong case as a contender for an opening spot versus the trans-Tasman rivals, he blotted his credentials with an ill-advised attempt to deposit Piedt over the long-on boundary which resulted in his dismissal for 36.

New Zealand’s top order were all troubled by Paterson, who showed why he has more than 550 first-class wickets with a brilliant display of nibbling and weaving the ball around to cause regular consternation from even a batter as accomplished and in-form as Kane Williamson.

Tom Latham survived a ‘celebrappeal’ from Paterson and had another narrow escape soon after, only to eventually fall to Piedt’s wiles for 40. When Williamson (43) inside-edged a delivery from Piedt onto his leg and into the hands of close-in fielder Raynard van Tonder, the hosts were 86-3 and the ship was taking on a little water.

Ravindra (29) and Young added 61 for the fourth wicket, but last test’s double century-maker played with freedom and perished the same way and the hosts lost 6-38 as the sinking feeling grew.

Neil Wagner’s late defiance - he made 33 from 27 balls at No 10 - reduced the first innings deficit to 31, but it was little consolation given realistic expectations.

At the start of day two, any plans the visiting side had of greatly extending the pesky partnership between Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg for the seventh wicket were quickly ruined by Will O’Rourke.

The test debutant was vastly more efficient in slicing through the tail than his vastly-more experienced team-mates were with the second new ball the previous evening.

The Cantabrian bowled 26 balls on Wednesday morning and took 3-12 in that spell, having von Berg and de Swardt playing onto their stumps before ending the innings when tailender Paterson fell to a wild swipe.

He finished with figures of 4-59 from 18.2 overs and with Kyle Jamieson again under an ominously dark injury cloud, has jumped into serious contention for a run against Australia at the Basin Reserve at the end of the month.

Now O’Rourke - and his senior team-mates - will have to excel with the ball on Thursday to make up for badly squandered ground.

SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350179915/south-africa-stun-black-caps-day-two-second-test-hamilton
 
Did they just give a turning spinning pitch for south africa???
Dane piedt getting wickets really?
 
Nz and SA are number 1 and 2 pitch riggers. They need to close their mouth permanently. Never utter a word about pitch tampering lmao.

I love how these 2 fly under the radar.
 
South Africa (25 ov) 242 & 79/3

New Zealand 211

Day 3 - Session 1: South Africa lead by 110 runs.
 
There's something about Bedingham. The only one in the side who was in the first team and it shows. Most consistent performer in the series for them.
 
South Africa already lead by 235 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the second innings, New Zealand are going to have to bat really well to get out of this one.
 
South Africa looking good this game. They have the talent, its a good comeback.
 
South Africa has already got a good lead for that pitch. 265 runs and still 2 wickets remaining for them to score more.
 
William ORourke has produced the best figures by a Kiwi bowler on debut. He took 5 for 34 runs in the 2nd inning as South Africa was Bowled out for 235 having a lead of 265 runs.

266 will be the target for the Kiwis to chase down and still lots and lots of time is left.

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Kiwi bowler claims long-standing New Zealand record in Hamilton

The best match figures by a New Zealand bowler on debut was achieved by Will O'Rourke during the second Test against South Africa.

Fast bowler Will O'Rourke broke a long-standing New Zealand record that has lasted for almost 10 years as the second Test against South Africa in Hamilton remained in the balance after three enthralling days.

O'Rourke collected five wickets during the Proteas' second innings to seal match figures of 9/93 and in the process broke the previous record held by Mark Craig (8/188) from June 2014 for the best bowling figures on Test debut by a New Zealand player.

Best match figures on Test debut by a New Zealand bowler

PlayerYearOpposition
Will O'Rourke9/93v South Africa, 2024
Mark Craig8/188v West Indies, 2014
Colin de Grandhomme7/64v Pakistan, 2016
Ajaz Patel7/123v Pakistan, 2018
Will Somerville7/127v Pakistan, 2018
Paul Wiseman7/143v Sri Lanka, 1998

Three of O'Rourke's five scalps came late in South Africa's second innings came on a topsy-turvy day at Seddon Park, as David Bedingham's century threatened to take the game away from New Zealand until a late collapse of 6/33 swayed the momentum back towards the hosts.

O'Rourke dismissed Bedingham for an excellent 110 in the middle of the collapse as South Africa were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, with New Zealand requiring 267 for victory in their second innings.

That victory total could have been much higher if not for O'Rourke's late intervention, with Bedingham and Keegan Petersen (43) looking in control at 102/4 following a 98-run stand that put the Proteas well on top.

But a trio of late wickets from O’Rourke and a handy spell of 2/70 from all-rounder Glenn Phillips (2/50) gave New Zealand the momentum heading into the fourth day on Friday.

ICC
 
Stumps on Day 3 of the 2nd test match with Kiwis looking to chase down 267 having lost Conway in the closing moments of the day.

40/1 atm. Should be looking to win this one.

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Will O’Rourke takes record haul as Black Caps eye series win over South Africa

At Seddon Park, Hamilton: South Africa 242 & 235 all out (David Bedingham 110; Will O’Rourke 5-34) met the Black Caps 211 & 40-1 in 13.5 overs.

Now the onus is on the nine men still ahead of him in the batting order to get the job done and seal a historic series win over South Africa.

The towering seamer took three wickets after tea on the third day of the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday to finish with 5-34 as the visitors were bowled out for 235 in their second innings.

His dad, Patrick, was there to celebrate with him afterwards. “He was obviously extremely proud,” Will said. “He's a big softie. He was welling up a little bit, which was cool to see."

Having been fuelled by David Bedingham’s maiden test century, a knock of 110, South Africa lost their last six wickets while adding just 33 runs, which left the Black Caps needing 267 to win and take the series 2-0, a target 57 higher than any previously chased at Seddon Park.

Having been fuelled by David Bedingham’s maiden test century, a knock of 110, South Africa lost their last six wickets while adding just 33 runs, which left the Black Caps needing 267 to win and take the series 2-0.

O’Rourke’s efforts with the ball stood tall in a Black Caps bowling display that was largely uninspiring.

They began the day with their tails between the legs, having conceded a 31-run first-innings led to their opponents, a makeshift team who were well-beaten in the first test in Mount Maunganui.

They began the day with their tails between the legs, having conceded a 31-run first-innings led to their opponents, a makeshift team who were well-beaten in the first test in Mount Maunganui.

It was only when O’Rourke was introduced in the ninth over that the Black Caps really started to threaten, though it was left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra who made the first breakthrough, trapping Clyde Fortuin LBW for three.

In a six-over spell either side of the first drinks break, O’Rourke was clocked over 140kph while picking up the wickets of Raynard van Tonder, caught by Neil Wagner at deep square leg for one, and South African captain Neil Brand, caught behind for 34, edging a near-perfect delivery.

Wagner had to wait his turn after lunch as well, but struck with his fifth delivery in typical fashion, getting Zubayr Hamza caught at deep square leg by Will Young. The veteran left-armer was fired up, raising a finger to his lips in a message to persons unknown, then engaging in a robust conversation with his skipper.

Wagner had to wait his turn after lunch as well, but struck with his fifth delivery in typical fashion, getting Zubayr Hamza caught at deep square leg by Will Young. The veteran left-armer was fired up, raising a finger to his lips in a message to persons unknown, then engaging in a robust conversation with his skipper.

He couldn’t repeat the trick after that, however, with both Bedingham and Keegan Petersen attacking his short balls and profiting. South Africa climbed to 202-4 shortly after tea and looked to be in control of proceedings.

It then seemed as if the day turned on a piece of brilliance in the field by Phillips - a one-handed catch to dismiss Petersen for 43 that was very similar to the one he took on the first morning. The off-spinner had barely threatened with the ball before that, but proceeded to remove Ruan de Swardt and Dane Piedt as the Proteas collapsed.

O’Rourke had never taken a five-wicket bag in first-class cricket before, but he will be regarded as a hero in Hamilton, provided his team-mates get the job done on Friday. His haul of nine wickets was one more than Mark Craig managed in his first test, in the West Indies in 2014.

O’Rourke had never taken a five-wicket bag in first-class cricket before, but he will be regarded as a hero in Hamilton, provided his team-mates get the job done on Friday. His haul of nine wickets was one more than Mark Craig managed in his first test, in the West Indies in 2014.

The previous record test chase at Seddon Park was of 210, by Australia in 2000, but with conditions looking sublime for batting, the Black Caps are now well-positioned to bump that entry down the history list as well, even after their late setback.

SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/35017...l-black-caps-eye-series-win-over-south-africa
 
Both pitches have spun, lol. Watch the pitches magically become massive seamers when India tour with resident NZ poster vehemently denying any pitch "preparation"
 
Both pitches have spun, lol. Watch the pitches magically become massive seamers when India tour with resident NZ poster vehemently denying any pitch "preparation"

NZ produce seamers when subcontinent sides visit and then non seaming pitches for when non subcontinent sides visit. All countries engage in pitch preparation to suit themselves
 
Day 4 - Session 1: New Zealand need 222 runs with 9 wickets in Hands.

It would be a close match for sure!
 
South Africa 242 & 235

New Zealand (24.4 ov, T:267) 211 & 65/2

Day 4 - Session 1: New Zealand need 202 runs.
 
New Zealand is bossing the game atm. Need just 52 more runs to win the 2nd game and seal the series. Williamson scored yet another hundred. This man is in some crazy form.
 
Just 17 more runs are required now for the Kiwis to seal the deal here. They would not like this win as they were playing against a club-level team sent by the South African board but nonetheless, A win is a win
 
Kane has done it and only he could have iced that chase that easily. Brilliant inning by him.

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Kane Williamson guides Black Caps to series sweep over South Africa

Second test, Seddon Park, Hamilton: South Africa 242 and 235 lost to New Zealand 211 and 269-3 (Kane Williamson 133 not out, Will Young 60no; Dane Piedt 3-93) by seven wickets.

Who else but Kane Williamson?

In the form of his life, the former Black Caps test captain led from the front with the bat to guide them to a maiden series win over South Africa.

Williamson delivered his 32nd test century, and with it, a seven-wicket victory over the visitors in Hamilton on Friday.

He finished unbeaten on 133, and put on a match-sealing unbroken fourth-wicket partnership worth 152 with Will Young (60 not out) to clinch the win with more than a day to spare.

New Zealand resumed their second innings on day four at 40-1, needing a further 227 runs for victory and a 2-0 series triumph at Seddon Park.

Williamson had come to the crease at the start of play on Friday, after opener Devon Conway’s dismissal brought about stumps on day three.

In what was initially a nervy pursuit of the largest successful fourth-innings chase at the venue in its test history, the right-hander oozed calm as he registered his seventh test ton - one of which was a double-century - from his past 12 innings and seven tests.

It brought about a series sweep for New Zealand, and the first win in 17 series between the two rivals from their first meeting in 1932.

The Black Caps were expected to see off a visiting side that was without more than a dozen first-choice squad members if they hadn’t been instructed to play in the country’s T20 league instead.

But after romping to victory by 281 runs in the first test in Mount Maunganui the previous week, they were pushed closer than they should have in the second clash.

Williamson, who made dual centuries at Bay Oval and 43 in the first innings in Hamilton, had some narrow escapes, but amid them displayed his usual unruffled assurance to reach 50 from 113 balls and then got to the big landmark from 203 deliveries.

It was his fifth fourth-innings test century, putting him level at the top of the list of that achievement with Pakistan’s Younis Khan.

It seems nothing can put the 33-year-old off his stride at present, as he drew level with the Australian duo of Steve Waugh and Steve Smith in 11th place on the list of most test tons.

His wife Sarah is due to give birth soon to their third child, and Williamson posted last weekend on Instagram that the family dog Sandy, aged 16, had died.

Parental leave will mean Williamson will miss the three-game T20 series against Australia starting on Wednesday, but he will return for the two tests.

South Africa’s captain Neil Brand, who took eight wickets in the first test, surprisingly opted not to bowl himself during New Zealand’s pursuit, after two specialist spinners were selected for the second-test XI.

New Zealand’s battle to subdue the much-weakened Proteas won’t have convinced many that they’re now ready to score their first series win over Australia since 1990 when the trans-Tasman rivals contest the first test at the end of the month in Wellington.

But for now, they’re simply happy that they did what was expected of them in this series - thanks hugely to the greatest batter this country has witnessed.

SOURCE: https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/35018...des-black-caps-series-sweep-over-south-africa
 
Congrats to NZ for getting the monkey of their backs after almost a century but this win has a huge astreix behind it
 
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