• New Zealand emerged victorious against South Africa by a comprehensive margin of 281 runs in the 1st Test.

  • Rachin Ravindra was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his sensational double century.

Twitter reactions: Kane Williamson’s twin tons, Rachin Ravindra’s double century propel New Zealand to emphatic win over South Africa in 1st Test
New Zealand beat South Africa by a comprehensive margin (Image Source: Twitter)

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The Bay Oval witnessed a spectacular display of cricketing prowess as the opening Test of the two-match series between New Zealand and South Africa unfolded. Day 4 marked the conclusion of an exhilarating contest, with New Zealand emerging victorious thanks to outstanding performances from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.

Match recap: New Zealand’s dominant batting display

From the outset, New Zealand asserted their dominance, batting first and posting a formidable total of 511 runs in their first innings. The heroics came from the dynamic duo of Rachin, who notched up a brilliant double century with an impressive 240, and captain Williamson, who contributed a sensational century with 118 runs. Despite Proteas skipper Neil Brand‘s exceptional 6-wicket haul, the Kiwi batters ensured a continuous flow of runs.

South Africa’s struggles

In response, South Africa faced a formidable challenge with the bat, struggling to find a rhythm. None of their batters managed to surpass the fifty-run mark, leading to a meager total of 162 runs. The Kiwi bowlers put up a decent performance, asserting their control over the game.

Williamson’s second century on Day 3

With a substantial lead in hand, New Zealand opted to bat again, and once again, Williamson rose to the occasion. The captain showcased his class with yet another top-notch century, guiding the hosts to a score of 179/4 by the end of Day 3.

Also READ: Head coach Rahul Dravid spills beans on Ishan Kishan’s absence from India squad

Declaration and Proteas’ resistance

New Zealand declared their innings at the overnight score of 179/4 on Day 4, setting a daunting target of 528 runs for South Africa. Despite some resistance from Proteas batters, including noteworthy performances from David Bedingham (87) and Zubayr Hamza (36), New Zealand convincingly sealed the win.

Bowlers ensure New Zealand’s victory

The Kiwi bowlers, spearheaded by Kyle Jamieson (4/58) and Mitchell Santner (3/59), showcased their skills on Day 4. Their disciplined and effective bowling performance helped dismantle the South African batting lineup, securing a comprehensive 281-run victory for the hosts.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: England’s great Geoffrey Boycott rips apart Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum for their ‘bazball’ approach after defeat against India in the 2nd Test

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.