New Zealand hammer South Africa in first Test: Records broken
New Zealand hammered South Africa by an innings and 276 runs in the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The Kiwis won the match within three days, blowing apart a sorry Proteas side. South Africa were bowled out for 95 and 111 runs respectively in their two innings. New Zealand hit 482 in their first innings. Here are the details.
How did the match pan out?
Henry's 7/23 ripped apart SA in the first innings. Henry extracted help from the surface and a few poor shots by the SA batters helped the cause. NZ rode on key partnerships in their innings as SA faded away. The likes of Neil Wagner (49), Nicholls (105), Blundell (96), and Henry (58*) made crucial contributions. Tim Southee's 5/35 blew SA away next.
Why does this story matter?
This was complete domination by the hosts who didn't allow SA any sort of breathing space. Bowling SA out for 95 handed NZ the momentum they needed. Matt Henry was sensational with figures worth 7/23. With the bat, Henry Nicholls stood tall with a fine century. Tom Blundell was superb as well. SA were once again under the cosh in the second innings.
Feats achieved by Matt Henry
Henry (7/23) has recorded the best figures by a Kiwi bowler versus SA. Henry has scripted the best bowling performance in Tests at the Hagley Oval, bettering the record held by Trent Boult (6/30 vs Sri Lanka in 2018). The right-arm pacer claimed nine wickets in the Test. He now has 46 scalps at an average of 38.41. He claimed his maiden five-wicket haul.
Nicholls and Blundell deliver for the hosts
Nicholls slammed 105 from 163 deliveries, hitting 11 fours. This was eighth hundred in Test cricket and a second versus SA. He has raced to 2,498 runs. Meanwhile, Blundell registered 96 from 138 deliveries. This was his fourth fifty in Tests. Blundell and Henry have now stitched the highest stand for the 10th wicket in NZ versus SA Test matches (94 runs).
Southee claims his 14th five-wicket haul
Tim Southee (1/33 and 5/35) managed six wickets in the match. The veteran pacer claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests. He now has 335 Test scalps at 27.95, surpassing former Proteas legend Allan Donald (330 wickets). Southee has 14 Test wickets vs SA, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul. Southee has gone past 200 wickets on home soil (202 at 26.57).
Unwanted numbers for SA
South Africa's 95/10 is their worst total in an innings versus New Zealand in Tests. This is also the lowest score at the Hagley Oval. The 111/10 in the second innings is also their second-lowest total versus SA in Tests.
