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The first Test match between New Zealand and South Africa, played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, turned out to be a record-breaking affair for multiple reasons.
Henry's record
On the second day of the first Test match, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry scored 58 runs off 68 balls and he became the first player in the history of Test cricket to notch a half century batting 11th while picking up seven wickets in the same innings.
Previously, West Indies player Wes Hall scored 50 runs (not out) and picked up 5 wickets conceding 20 runs against India, in a Test match played back in 1962. That particular Test match was played in Port of Spain.
On the other hand, the visitors South Africa also created a new record but the Proteas will not want to remember it for a long time. The South African team were bundled out for a paltry total of 95 in the first innings. The last time South Africa team had been bundled out under 100 in the first innings of a Test match was back in 1932. In that match, South Africa were playing against Australia in Melbourne.
Nicholls scores ton
Meanwhile, in the ongoing Test match, New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls scored his eight Test century on the second day of the first Test mach. Neil Wagner on the other hand batted in a pretty convincing way as he scored 49 runs off 56 balls. Later, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell played a brilliant innings of 96 runs off 136 deliveries.
Eventually, the Kiwis registered a mammoth total of 482 runs losing 10 wickets.
Ordinary performance
South African team seemed pretty ordinary in all the three departments. Their poor batting show was clearly visible on Day One. Their bowling attack proved to be blunt also as they had to bowl 117.5 overs and concede 482 runs to bundle out the hosts. Their lack of discipline in bowling was evident as they conceded 7 runs as no-balls.
In the fielding department as well, the visitors looked lackluster after they dropped Nicholls twice on 5 and 24.
Things did not appear to be any different as the Proteas lost three quick wickets in the second innings.
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee scalped two wickets to put South African team under severe pressure. At the end of the second day’s play, South Africa were reeling at 34 for 3 and are currently trailing by 353 runs.
