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Apoorv Dwivedi
One team steamrolled with confidence after beating India, the other off-track after being beaten by India. Both have contrasting fates at the expense of the same opposition.
IIn January this year, proteas defeated India on their home soil. Reeling with confidence they reached New Zealand and scored a clinical win in the second match. They were 1-0 down but they fought their way to a win giving a glimpse of South Africa of the past.
Highlights of the second match
The match was played at the same venue Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Batting first South Africa 364 scored. Sarel Erwee playing his second test match scored a mature 108. He was well supported by Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj in the lower order.
Thanks to the Fiery spell from Marco Jansen(4 wickets) and Kagiso Rabada (5 wickets). The kiwi top order collapsed. Colin de Grandhomme held one end and scored a clinical 125. Daryl Mitchell scored 60 and dragged the team score to 293.
With a 71 run lead in hand, South African batsmen played with confidence. Wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne playing his 6th test match showed promise with the bat and scored 136. Kagiso Rabada shone with the bat and scored 47 runs. He batted at a strike rate of 100+ and hammered 4 sixes.
South Africa declared the innings at 354/9. With one and a half days spare. The writing was on the wall but the fans were hoping for a similar miracle New Zealand pulled off in Kanpur last year.
They were on their way for a draw. Devon Conway scored a patient 92 and was well supported by Tom Blundell who scored 44. Lutho Sipmala got rid of Conway and the kiwi resistance couldn’t last long. Chasing 425 they go all out for 227. Rabada, Jansen, and Maharaj got 3 wickets each.
The World Test Champions since their title victory in June have not won a test series in a drastic turn of events. They were beaten by India in India and now they have lost to South Africa at their home. With WTC points at stake, The Kiwis need to get their act together before it is too late to catch up with the rest.
Result: South Africa beat New Zealand by 198 runs
Series: Tied (1-1)
Man of the Match: Kagiso Rabada
Man of the Series: Matt Henry