MATCH REPORTBlackcaps seamer Kyle Jamieson claimed four wickets on Wednesday (February 7) to drive New Zealand to a 281-run win over South Africa with a day to spare in the first Test.
Dogged resistance from the tourists ended with their dismissal for 247 at Mount Maunganui as the Blackcaps notched their second-biggest Test victory by runs. New Zealand are a step closer to a maiden series win over South Africa after 17 previous failed attempts, dating back to 1931.
Given their struggles at Bay Oval, the vastly inexperienced Proteas will need a dramatic turnaround to win the second and final Test, starting on Tuesday in Hamilton. The tourists were forced to name a depleted tour squad with most first-choice players involved in SA20.
New Zealand took control with 511 in their first innings and never looked like losing when the tourists -- fielding six debutants -- were dismissed for 162. The hosts declared at their overnight 179 for 4 before play began on Wednesday, leaving South Africa to chase an unrealistic target of 529.
Jamieson ensured they never came close, taking 4 for 58 and producing key double-strikes at the start of the second and third sessions on Wednesday. The most crucial wicket was that of David Bedingham, who raced to a career-high 87 off 96 balls before he mistimed a pull shot to midwicket soon after tea.
It ended a 105-run stand with Keegan Petersen, who also failed to control a Jamieson short ball on 16. The day's response had begun disastrously for the tourists, when debut openers Neil Brand and Edward Moore departed inside the day's first four overs.
South African captain Brand was bowled for three by a late inswinger from his New Zealand counterpart Tim Southee. Moore went for a duck after driving a Matt Henry delivery to cover.
A resolute 63-run stand for the third wicket was broken by Jamieson, who snared Raynard van Tonder at first slip for 31 before Zubayr Hamza's attempted pull shot on 36 flew gently to mid-on.
Spinner Mitchell Santner extracted turn to wrap up the tail and finish with 3 for 59, matching Jamieson's six scalps for the match. Rachin Ravindra was named man of the match for his 240 in New Zealand's first innings. Kane Williamson also shone with the bat, scoring a century in each innings to continue a brilliant run of Test form.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 511 (Rachin Ravindra 240, Kane Williamson 118; Neil Brand 6 for 119) & 179 for 4 decl. (Kane Williamson 109, Devon Conway 29; Neil Brand 2 for 52) beat South Africa 162 (Keegan Petersen 45, David Bedingham 32; Matt Henry 3 for 31) & 247 (David Bedingham 87, Zubayr Hamza 36; Kyle Jamieson 4 for 58) by 281 runs
Player of the match: Rachin Ravindra
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