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On the opening day of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa, rising star and all-rounder, Rachin Ravindra displayed his prowess with the ball and put the Proteas on the back foot at stumps on Day 1. In his spell of 21 overs on the first day, the left-arm spinner Rachin bagged three wickets and single-handedly ran through the visitor's middle-order, leaving them tottering at 150/6 at one stage. The situation could have gone from bad to worse for South Africa if not for the unbeaten partnership of 70 runs between Ruan de Swardt and Shaun Von Berg, who pushed the team's total to 220/6 at stumps on Day 1.
Ruan de Swardt, building on his promising 34 not out in the last innings of the first Test, achieved his first Test half-century, halting New Zealand's momentum with an unbeaten 55 off 135 balls. Partnering with Shaun Von Berg, who himself faced 82 deliveries for his unbeaten 34, de Swardt's innings is pivotal for South Africa's hopes of posting a competitive first-innings score.
South Africa, facing the prospect of a rare series loss to New Zealand after the opening defeat, fielded a relatively inexperienced squad due to the absence of senior players participating in the SA20 Twenty20 league, a move supported by the national cricket board.
Shaky start for South Africa under clear skies in Hamilton
Winning the toss and choosing to bat at Seddon Park on a clear morning, South Africa's innings had a shaky start with opener Clyde Fortuin departing for a duck in the second over, dismissed by Matt Henry. New Zealand opted for a bowling lineup of four pacers, complemented by the spin of Rachin Ravindra.
Despite getting off to promising starts, South African batters like Raynard van Tonder (32), Zubayr Hamza (20), and David Bedingham (39) couldn't capitalise, with Ravindra notably dismissing Hamza and Bedingham, adding to the fall of Keegan Petersen for just 2 runs.
Rachin Ravindra, who made headlines with a double century in the first Test, is now in the spotlight for a different reason, as he eyes his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket on the second day of play.
Apart from Rachin, Matt Henry and William ORourke bagged a wicket each.
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