New Zealand thrash inexperienced South Africa by 281 runs in 1st Test, Rachin Ravindra named Man of the Match

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Zealand thrashed South Africa by 281 runs on Day 4 of the first Test match at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday, February 7. Chasing a 529-run target, New Zealand showed restraint but were bundled out for 247 in 80 overs.

New Zealand had taken a first-innings lead of 349 and declared their second innings on 179 for four just before the start of Day 4 play. New Zealand were soon on top of South Africa by reducing them to 5/2 inside four overs.

The fifty wicket partnership for 105 runs off 143 balls between David Bedingham (87) and Keegan Petersen (16) provided restraint but once Kyle Jamieson removed the former for 87 runs off 96 balls, the South African batting line-up collapsed once again.

Jamieson also picked the wicket of Petersen and finished with figures of 4/58 in 17 overs. Mitchell Santner picked three wickets and wrapped up South African innings by number eleven batter Dane Paterson (15) on the final ball of the 80th over.

"Pretty happy, I think any time you win a test match inside four days it's always pretty pleasing," said New Zealand skipper Tim Southee.

"We know that any South African team is going to fight, they are very passionate people, and we knew that they were going to be up for it over this test match."

The match saw Kane Williamson (118, 109) become only the fifth New Zealander to score a century in each innings and all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was named Man of the Match for his mammoth 240 in the first.

New Zealand now stand a chance of beating South Africa for the first time in a Test series. The second Test match in Hamilton will start from Tuesday, February 13.