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New Zealand completely pummeled South Africa in the first Test and won the contest by an innings and 276 runs at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.
Senior pacer Tim Southee bagged five wickets to help his side bundle out the tourists for 111 in their second innings on the third day to mark the Black Caps’ first Test triumph over the Proteas in 18 years.
South Africa began Day 3 at 34/3, trailing by 353 runs after New Zealand posted 482 in reply to 95 by the visiting side. While Matt Henry was the star with the ball in the first innings, taking a brilliant 7-fer, Southee led the attack in the second innings after returning with impressive figures of 5/35 in 17.4 overs.
Henry also bagged a couple of scalps to make his total wicket tally to nine and was rewarded with the ‘Player of the Match’ recognition.
“It was pretty to come here and for us all to have a performance like that. It’s been brilliant. It is pretty special to get man of the match here on such a great occasion and in a great win like that,” said Henry after the match.
Most Test wickets in New Zealand:
- 202 – Tim Southee
- 201 – Richard Hadlee
- 173 – Trent Boult
- 159 – Neil Wagner
- 159 – Daniel Vettori
Brief Scores:
South Africa 95 & 111 (Temba Bavuma 41; Tim Southee 5/35) lost to New Zealand 482 (Henry Nicholls 105, Tom Blundell 96; Duanne Olivier 3/100) by an innings and 276 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
What a finish in Christchurch! Tim Southee takes the final wicket to finish with 5-35 and become the highest Test wicket taker in New Zealand. Victory by an innings and 276 runs. The team's first Test win over South Africa since 2004. Scorecard | https://t.co/LlClFkimZI #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/0R2RHizOyw
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 19, 2022
For the first time in 18 years, New Zealand beat South Africa in a test match. #NZvSA
— Jake O'Flaherty (@jakoboflaherty) February 19, 2022
New Zealand played their first Test against South Africa in 1932 and have defeated South Africa by an innings margin for the first time today.
Now NZ won against every team they played, by innings margin at least once.#NZvSA
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 19, 2022
ICC #WTC23 points table after #NZvSA first Test! pic.twitter.com/H1FOJAHdQs
— DD India (@DDIndialive) February 19, 2022
🚨 RESULT | @BLACKCAPS WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 276 RUNS
The first Test comes to an end as the New Zealand bowlers claimed the required 7 wickets in the opening session of Day 3 to take a 1-0 lead in the series#NZvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/Iv6Mit99Kp
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 19, 2022
Ladies and gentlemen, meet the HIGHEST WICKET-TAKER in Tests for Kiwis in 🇳🇿
A match-winning 5/35 from #TimSouthee against South Africa! 💥
📷: @BLACKCAPS #NZvSA #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/d7pLdLCpzG
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) February 19, 2022
New Zealand beat South Africa by an innings and 276 runs to go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series 💪#NZvSA | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/SvmhtSDHNb
— ICC (@ICC) February 19, 2022
New Zealand register a comfortable win over South Africa in the first Test.#NZvSA Scorecard: https://t.co/9DfkuYAIzW pic.twitter.com/J0qtxLwZok
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2022
Was genuinely shocked India's bowling attack couldn't get past South Africa's batting in two successive Tests.
This Test, while on a spicier wicket, sums up where SA's batting quality stands. Elgar, Keegan & Bavuma just had a dream series together vs India. #NZvSA
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 18, 2022
The New Zealand squad depth in test matches is incredible! They are missing both Kane Williamson and Trent Boult from this lineup 👀🏏 #NZvSA
— James (@Surreycricfan) February 18, 2022