• Matt Henry registered career-best figures against South Africa on Day 1 of the Christchurch Test.

  • Henry picked up a brilliant 7-wicket haul to help Black Caps bundle out the Proteas for just 95 in their first innings.

Twitter reactions: Matt Henry’s 7-fer puts New Zealand in commanding position on Day 1 of Christchurch Test
Matt Henry takes a seven wicket haul on Day 1 of first Test against South Africa (Image Source: Twitter)

World Test champions New Zealand completely dominated the proceedings on the opening day of the ongoing first Test against South Africa at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

After the hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first, pacer Matt Henry wreaked havoc on a green top surface and made the Proteas batters run for their money. The right-arm speedster produced his career-best performance with the red-cherry to bundle out the visitors for a mere 95 in their first innings.

Henry went on to take as many as seven wickets while conceding only 23 runs in 15 overs, including seven maidens. The Canterbury bowler dismissed the likes of Dean Elgar (1), Aiden Markram (15), Rassie van der Dussen (8), Zubayr Hamza (25), Kagiso Rabada (0) and Glenton Stuurman (0).

Only four batters scored runs in double figures for the tourists, with 25 off 74 by Hamza being the highest. Apart from Henry, Tim Southee (1/33), Neil Wagner (1/11), and Kyle Jamieson (1/19) picked up one wicket apiece.

Best innings figures for New Zealand in Test cricket:

  • 10/119 – Ajaz Patel vs India
  • 9/52 – Richard Hadlee vs Australia
  • 7/23 – Richard Hadlee vs India
  • 7/23 – Matt Henry vs South Africa*
  • 7/27 – Chris Cairns vs West Indies

In response, the Black Caps have posted 116/3 at stumps on Day 1, leading the South Africans by 21 runs. The home team have lost wickets of opener Will Young (8), captain Tom Latham (15) early before Devon Conway (36), and Henry Nicholls (37 no) joined hands to take their side out of trouble.

The duo went on to form a vital partnership of 75 runs for the third wicket before Duanne Olivier, who had removed Latham, dismissed Conway to put pressure back on New Zealand. Nicholls and night-watchman Wagner (2 no) are at the crease after the end of Day 1.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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