New Zealand won the first match of the two-match Test series in three days. The Kiwis beat South Africa by a small margin in both innings and won by an innings and 28 runs.
South Africa were bowled out for 95 in the first innings before losing the toss in Christchurch. Matt Henry took seven wickets alone. He got seven wickets for just 23 runs. As a result, New Zealand took control of the match on the first day.
New Zealand scored 482 runs in the first innings. Henry Nichols scored a century. He made 105 off 163 balls. Tom Blandell was disappointed as he approached the century. He returned to the dressing room with 98 runs off 137 balls. Matt Henry hit an unbeaten half-century with the bat after the devastating bowling. He remained unbeaten on 57 off 6 balls.
New Zealand got a big lead of 36 runs in the first innings. For South Africa, Dwayne Olivier took three wickets and Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took two wickets each.
South Africa was again in dire straits on the second day after New Zealand’s run-down. The visitors finished the second day with 34 runs for 3 wickets. Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verrain tried to put up some resistance, but to no avail. Bavuma scored 41 runs and Varein scored 30 runs.
South Africa lost 5 wickets for 47 runs and lost 6 wickets for 6 runs. Then he became all-out for 111 runs. Tim Southee took five wickets in the second innings. He is now the highest wicket-taker for the Saudi Kiwis in Test cricket. Matt Henry has been named the best player of the match for his all-round performance.
Short score
South Africa 95/10 (49.2 overs)
Hamza 25, Varein 17;
Henry 6/23.
New Zealand 482/10 (118.5 overs)
Nichols 105, Bundle 98, Matt Henry 57 *, Conway 36;
Olivier’s 3/100.
South Africa 111/10 (41.4 overs)
Bavuma 41, Varein 30;
Saudi 5/35.
New Zealand won by an innings and 26 runs.
The best player of the match is Matt Henry.