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After a horror batting performance in the first Test, South Africa bounced back in grand style on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Rookie opener Sarel Erwee led visitors’ scintillating batting display to help them post 283/3 at stumps on Day 1.
Erwee, who only managed to score 10 runs in the two-match series opener, stood tall against the high-quality Black Caps bowling attack and smashed a tremendous century.
Putting to bat first, the pair of Dean Elgar and Erwee partnered for a dominating opening stand of 111 runs to attain the early momentum. While Elgar was dismissed at 41, Erwee stood like a rock and formed another crucial partnership of 88 runs for the second wicket with Aiden Markram.
Both Erwee (108) and Markram (42) got out in successive overs, but the damage was already done. Rassie van der Dussen (13 no) and Temba Bavuma (22 no) added an unbeaten 39-run stand for the fourth wicket before the officials announced the stumps.
For the hosts, Neil Wagner (1/50) and Tim Southee (1/41) and Matt Henry (1/65) picked up one wicket each.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
A special moment. Sarel Erwee delivering his maiden Test 100 and the @ANZ_NZ Play of the Day at Hagley Oval. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/xJOlZNEnF0
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 25, 2022
Lovely news to wake up to – a century opening stand for the Proteas and a maiden test century for Sarel Erwee – well done young man! 👏
— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) February 25, 2022
SENSATIONAL SAREL 💯
Sarel Erwee remained patient and grafted his way to a maiden Test century
📷 @PhotosportNZ #NZvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/RCWu3p3iPL
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 25, 2022
Wonderful moment for the man from Pietermaritzburg.
Sarel Erwee 👏👏
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) February 25, 2022
South Africa’s Sarel Erwee has brought up his maiden Test century in Christchurch, reaching the milestone with a pull shot just before the tea break.#NZvSA pic.twitter.com/iqwvOfKuxM
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) February 25, 2022
1⃣0⃣0⃣ for Sarel Erwee 🔥
The South African opener brings up his maiden century in his second ever International match 👏
Watch #NZvSA live or on-demand on https://t.co/MHHfZPyHf9 (in select regions) 📺#WTC23 pic.twitter.com/jksRzyq3Un
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2022
Clearly got it right. Kudos.
They’ve played really well too.
Well played #SarelErwee 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#totallydifferentthistime#riddlemethisriddlemethat https://t.co/yzhVzfOwb7— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) February 25, 2022
14 years of hard work at domestic cricket. Maiden International Test century on his second test. Well done Sarel Erwee🔥😍.#NZvsSA
— Abin Joy (@abinjoy2011) February 25, 2022
Sticking it out in domestic cricket and scoring runs season in season out will never go out of fashion. Sarel Erwee is that guy. Makes it extra special seeing a player reap the rewards of his sheer grind.
— Philasande Sixaba (@psixaba) February 25, 2022
SAREL ERWEE MAIDEN TEST 100👏👏👏🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥 well done what a great innings! Patience and poise, terrific knock #NZvSA 🏏
— Gills (@gpricey23) February 25, 2022
Maiden Test century for Sarel Erwee in only his 2nd Test 🔥
Magnificent!!!!#NZvSA
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) February 25, 2022
Maiden 100 for Sarel Erwee in his second match! Well played. Incredible knock. #NZvSA
— naeemah (@NaeemahBenjamin) February 25, 2022
32-year-old, playing his debut series, in New Zealand, against a high class pace attack, after his team bundled out for just 95 runs in the first innings in first Test, he made his maiden Test hundred in the second Test. Well played, Sarel Erwee. pic.twitter.com/mbpcciP5My
— imarpit (@imarpit23) February 25, 2022
Well played, Sarel Erwee! Maiden Test 💯
Tough day for the @BLACKCAPS so far. #NZvSA
— Kiwi Kali 😷💉 (@kiwi_kali) February 25, 2022
Sarel Erwee reminded me of another SA opener of 30+ age who made a hundred on his debut (although this isn't a debut of Ervee), Stephen Cook.
— Udit (@udit_buch) February 25, 2022
