Image Credit- AFP
Rachin Ravindra had only scored 73 runs at 14.60 per
six innings going into the Mount Maunganui Test, and he had never batted in the
top six in Test cricket. The left-hander has more than increased his stats on
both counts in just one inning here. On the second day of the first Test,
Ravindra, who was handed the crucial No. 4 slot, delivered a brilliant score of
240 to aid New Zealand in maintaining their lead against South Africa.
Neil Brand, the captain of South Africa and a rookie,
finished with statistics of 6 for 119, but New Zealand amassed 511 in their
first innings thanks to Ravindra’s double off the back of Kane Williamson’s
118. South Africa finished the second day at 80 for 4, remaining well behind
the hosts by a staggering 431 runs. Kyle Jamieson struck twice.
Replacing Williamson early, New Zealand resumed their
day on 258 for 2, but Ravindra carried on from his first-day position.
Surprisingly, on the second day, South Africa started all-rounders Ruan de
Swardt and Dane Paterson before Tshepo Moreki, even though the second new ball
was only six overs old.
Before tea, Ravindra passed Matthew Sinclair’s score
of 214 to become the highest-scoring New Zealand batsman for his first Test
century. However, minutes later, Brand amassed 240. Throughout the session, New
Zealand amassed 145 runs at an average of more than five an over in 27 overs,
despite four strikes from South Africa.
In response, South African openers Edward Moore and
Brand, who were both making their debuts, held their own for about nine overs.
Moore opened the scoring with a hard cut off Southee through point, then
repeated the play with an identical outcome. In defence, Brand was more
reliable, closing the distance behind the ball’s line.
But when Jamieson entered the game, everything
changed. With a more robust delivery that held its line yet threatened to
reenter, he first sent Brand back. Brand gave the wicketkeeper a slight
advantage, undecided whether to play or leave the delivery. After two balls, an
inswinger from Jamieson trapped rookie Raymond van Tonder directly in front of
the stumps. After 15 overs, South Africa was reduced to 30 for 3, after Henry
removed Moore with a snorter that he could only glove to Conway, who raced in from
cover-point to complete a breathtaking catch.
At the end of play on the second day, Bedingham had
reached 29 off 39 balls with five fours to his name and had Keegan Peterson for
company on 2.