It was all going according to the plan for the New Zealand players. They were cutting through the South African batting order with ease. But one man stood strong to change everything. Ruan de Swardt’s impressive rearguard action kept South Africa in the game after day one of the second Test. The wicketkeeper batsman posted a fighting fifty as the Kiwi bowlers were constantly frustrated during the latter passages of play between the two sides.
Team Lineups
South African made a controversial call of fielding six debutants during the first Test match. The Proteas have been criticised for ignoring Test wicket in favour of their own T20 franchise. Most of the regular faces of South Africa’s Test team are busy playing in the SA T20 tournament. So, Neil Brand was brought in to captain the side during the tour of New Zealand. T
he 27 year old finger spinner was one of the six debutants who took the field at Bay Oval. Duanne Olivier was the most experienced member of the team in the first test. However, the 31 year old pacer got dropped from the team in favour of Dane Piedt. Piedt got selected for the South African team after a break of four and a half years. Opener Edward Moore was also axed from the line-up. 37 year old spin all-rounder Shaun van Borg was given his debut. Clyde Fortuin was promoted up the order to fill the vacant spot of Moore.
New Zealand made three changes to their team that beat New Zealand comprehensively in the first year. Daryl Mitchell has been struggling with a recurring foot injury. The 31 year old has been ruled out for this series and the one against Australia. Will Young came to the team to replace him. The Kiwis opted for more pace with the inclusion of Neil Wagner in the place of Mitch Santner. The 37 year old Pretoria-born pacer plays his first Test match in 15 months. Despite impressing with the ball in the first Test, Kyle Jamieson was not considered for this match. Young pace sensation Will O’Rourke was selected to represent his country for the first time on the Test arena. O’Rourke has played 3 ODis before this match.
New Zealand
1. Tom Latham 2. Devon Conway 3. Kane Williamson 4. Rachin Ravindra 5. Will Young 6. Tom Blundell (WK) 7. Glenn Phillps 8. Matt Henry 9. Tim Southee (Cap.) 10. Neil Wagner 11. Will O’Rourke
South Africa
- Neil Brand (Cap.) 2. Clyde Fortuin (WK) 3. Raynard van Tonder 4. Zubyar Hamza 5. David Bedingham 6. Keegan Petersen 7. Ruan de Swardt 8. Shaun von Berg 9. Dane Pledt 10. Tshepo Moreki 11. Dane Paterson
South Africa’s stand-in skipper Neil Brand won the coin toss and made a predictable decision to bat first on a solid wicket. The playing surface at the Bay Oval is known to assist the bowlers. The fast bowlers especially can play a key role with the new ball. If they can exploit the existing conditions effectively, the batsmen would be in trouble while negotiating the new ball. There is significant movement and bounce in the early parts of the innings. But once the dust settles, the batsmen would also enjoy batting on the surface. The ball would come perfectly into the bat and the batsmen would be able to play some strokes.
27 games have been played at this ground till date. The average first innings total of 312 is an indication of the ground’s inclination towards producing a high scoring match. Surprisingly, the average second innings score is higher. The teams that have batted second, have amassed an average total of 328 in their innings. The teams that have batted second have won 10 matches. The teams batting first won on nine occasions. So, it is an evenly balanced battle.
Fixture
New Zealand and South Africa have met on 48 occasions before this Test. There is a clear pattern in domination between the two sides. South Africa is clear of their Kiwi counterparts with 26 wins. New Zealand has managed only 6 wins from this fixture. 16 of matches have finished in draws. In the tests on New Zealand soil, The home team has secured 3 wins. New Zealand has been a happy hunting ground for the Proteas who have secured nine victories in this Oceanian country. The last Test series between these two teams was played during the 2021-22 season. That two match series ended in a 1-1 draw.
| Venue | The first game of the two match series was played at the iconic Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. |
| Date | The game started on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 10:30. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
On the first day of the second cricket test between New Zealand and South Africa, Rachin Ravindra played a pivotal role by taking three crucial wickets and significantly curbing South Africa’s scoring momentum. His exceptional performance with the ball, claiming the key wickets of Zubayr Hamza, Keegan Petersen, and David Bedingham, helped tilt the day slightly in New Zealand’s favor.
Ravindra bowled impressively, conceding only 33 runs in his 21-over spell, which was instrumental in limiting South Africa’s progress. Despite facing a late challenge from Ruan de Swardt and debutant Shaun von Berg, who forged an unbroken 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket, New Zealand managed to keep South Africa contained at 220-6 by stumps.
The day saw some unexpected decisions, with New Zealand opting to leave out regular spinner Mitchell Santner and fielding four seamers instead. This move saw Ravindra’s left-arm spin play a significant role in controlling the game.
South Africa’s decision to bat first after winning the toss was also surprising, considering the initial help for seamers on a seemingly green pitch. The likes of Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke, and Neil Wagner made early breakthroughs, putting South Africa under pressure at 64-3 by lunch.
Ravindra’s standout moments came after the lunch break, where his tight bowling helped stifle South Africa’s scoring rate. His precision and control with the ball, including a spell of five maidens leading into the drinks break, proved vital in creating pressure on the opposition batsmen.
The key wickets he took, dismissing established batsmen like Petersen, Hamza, and Bedingham, showcased his ability to break crucial partnerships and prevent the batsmen from converting their starts into big scores.
While South Africa’s middle order showed resilience through de Swardt and von Berg’s partnership, New Zealand will be looking to capitalize on their slight edge going into the next day of play to secure a series victory. The unexpected heroes of the day, including Ravindra’s stellar performance and the unlikely batting duo of de Swardt and von Berg, added intrigue to an eventful day’s play in the ongoing test series.
Batting Analysis
Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg exhibited remarkable resilience to navigate South Africa through a challenging day of Test cricket marked by its characteristic attrition. New Zealand’s seamers, with their precision and economy, managed to dislodge the top-order batsmen, while Rachin Ravindra’s craftiness dismantled the middle order. However, the lower-order batsmen, occupying the numbers 7 and 8 positions, displayed unwavering determination as they negotiated a strenuous 27 overs during the extended final session.
The day commenced with a surprising move from captain Neil Brand, who opted to bat first on a grassy pitch, backing his decision with the inclusion of two spinners in the lineup. Brand justified his choice by noting the tendency of green wickets to ease up after initial play. Notably, South Africa’s ability to repeat their 2017 feat made them the sole team to achieve such a victory in Hamilton within the last decade.
In contrast, New Zealand selected four seamers, led by captain Tim Southee, who expressed a preference for bowling first had his team won the toss. The hosts made tactical adjustments, bringing in Will Young for the injured Daryl Mitchell, while Neil Wagner replaced Mitchell Santner, and William O’Rourke earned a debut opportunity due to Kyle Jamieson’s injury after the first Test.
Clyde Fortuin’s promotion to the top order did not yield favorable results as he departed for a golden duck, falling victim to Matt Henry’s delivery and Glenn Phillips’ exceptional catch at gully. Despite the seam movement generated by Henry and swing found by Southee, Brand and Raynard van Tonder exhibited confidence in leaving deliveries outside off-stump.
Brand capitalized on overpitched deliveries with elegant strokes through the offside, but his innings was cut short by O’Rourke, who induced an inside edge to trap the skipper in front of middle. Zubayr Hamza, after a cautious start, fell lbw to Neil Wagner’s delivery but successfully overturned the decision on review.
Hamza, however, struggled to rotate the strike, and Southee and Wagner maintained disciplined lines, conceding only five runs between the 21st and 25th over. Wagner’s short-ball tactic paid off, claiming van Tonder’s wicket as he fended a rising delivery to Tom Latham at gully, tilting the session in New Zealand’s favor.
The second session witnessed a psychological battle as David Bedingham and Hamza aimed to blunt the bowling attack despite the stagnant run rate. Ravindra, introduced in the 36th over, initiated his spell with four consecutive maidens, applying pressure on the South African batsmen.
Although the ball occasionally beat the bat, and scoring opportunities were scarce, Hamza’s dismissal to Ravindra and Petersen’s subsequent departure further compounded South Africa’s woes. Amidst the frustration, de Swardt’s proactive approach and defensive solidity provided a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
On the other hand, Bedingham appeared composed, capitalizing on rare loose deliveries from Ravindra before falling victim to a bizarre dismissal, flicking a full delivery onto his boot and into the hands of Young at short leg. Von Berg, despite a tentative start, gradually grew in confidence, surviving a close lbw call and dispatching boundaries off O’Rourke’s short deliveries.
As the day progressed, South Africa’s lower order demonstrated resilience against the new ball, with Southee’s deliveries inducing edges but failing to break through. Despite facing occasional blows, particularly a painful hit to de Swardt’s box, South Africa managed to avoid further setbacks.
The gradual lightening of the green tinge on the pitch by day’s end reflected the resilience displayed by the South African lineup, despite the early setbacks. While the hosts maintained control over the scoring rate, the visitors can take solace in their inexperienced lineup’s ability to withstand pressure, while New Zealand will derive satisfaction from their spinners’ effectiveness in successive Tests at home.
Bowling Analysis
Rachin Ravindra showcased his prowess by making a double breakthrough during the middle session of the match, adding to his tally with a third wicket shortly after the tea break, before the Proteas initiated a resilient stand.
Moreover, the Black Caps boast an impeccable record in Hamilton, remaining undefeated in their last eight tests, with six victories to their credit. Their last defeat on this ground dates back to 2012 when they succumbed to South Africa.
In anticipation of the second test, there’s a buzz surrounding Will O’Rourke’s potential debut, as he traveled alongside Kyle Jamieson to Hamilton, his seatmate standing 5cm taller. O’Rourke’s journey to the team has been an interesting one, having made his first-class debut in 2022 after relocating from England at the age of 5.
With the prospect of a favorable pitch and New Zealand possibly opting for a four-seamer strategy, the 22-year-old fast bowler could replace either Glenn Phillips or Mitchell Santner, while Will Young may step in for the injured Daryl Mitchell.
This opportunity signifies a swift rise for O’Rourke, who initially did not envisage such prospects at the onset of the season. His nerves are understandable, especially considering the magnitude of a test debut, a milestone that wasn’t even on his radar during the preseason, despite his earlier ODI appearance against Bangladesh in December.
Reflecting on his recent experiences, O’Rourke expressed gratitude for the learning opportunities within the team, acknowledging the talent pool and aiming to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his experienced teammates.
The camaraderie within the team, especially with Jamieson and Matt Henry, has been invaluable to O’Rourke’s development. Now, with the possibility of forming a seam quartet alongside Tim Southee, the prospect of contributing significantly to the team’s objectives is within reach.
As O’Rourke prepares for his potential debut, he recognizes the significance of his performances, particularly his commendable 3-47 in the third ODI against Bangladesh. Bolstered by his international experience, O’Rourke’s recent career-best figures of 6-20 in a Ford Trophy match against Auckland further underscore his potential contribution to the team’s success.
With Neil Wagner’s impending return, O’Rourke’s inclusion signifies a refreshing injection of pace and talent into the team’s bowling arsenal, setting the stage for an intriguing second test against South Africa at Seddon Park.
Fielding Analysis
Glenn Phillps has already cemented his reputation as one of the best fielders in the world. The 27 year old produced a moment of magic early in the game. On the seventh delivery of the match, Glenn Phillps dived to his left and pulled off an one-hander to send Clyde Fortuin on his way. Wicketkeeper Tom Latham took a low catch to dismiss Raynard van Tonder. Will Young took an instinctive catch off the boot of David Bedingham. Overall, the New Zealand fielding was exceptional with fine catches taken throughout the day. The ground fielding performance was also exceptional as Kiwis showed application and determination.
Key Performances
Rachin Ravindra was the key man for the Kiwis with the bat in the first Test. The 24 year old scored the maiden double century of his career to set the stage up for a brilliant win against the South Africans. This time Ravindra delivered the goods with his bowling. He maintained a tight line and claimed three wickets in his 21 over spell. Neil Wagner came back to the team after spending an extended spell on the sidelines. The South African born bowler bowled magnificently but only had one wicket to show for his hard work. Debutant Will O’Rourke and veteran Matt Henry claimed one wicket apiece.
David Bedingham played a wonderful counter attacking innings in the first test. The 26 year old this time shifted gears to play a rather defensive innings of 39 from 102 balls. Zubyr Hamza and Neil Brand got off to decent starts, but the pair got dismissed in their twenties. Raynard van Tonder played an important knock of 32 from 71 deliveries. However the day belonged to the 27 year old wicketkeeper batsman Ruan de Swardt. He right-hander looked determined and thwarted everything that was thrown to him. De Swardt remained unbeaten till the end of the day’s play. His 55 runs from 135 deliveries kept South Africa firmly in the game.
Day Result
South Africa are 220 runs ahead after the closure of play on day one. The Proteas have four wickets in hand.
Brief Scorecard
| South Africa First Innings: 220/6 (89 overs) | New Zealand First Innings: Did not Bat |
| Ruan de Swardt 55* (135) | |
| David Bedingham 39 (102) | |
| Rachin Ravindra 3/33 (21 overs) | |
| Neil Wagner 1/32 (16 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
The South Africans started the day in a horrible fashion by losing 5 wickets for only 101 runs. However, after that event, the Proteas showed courage and resilience to send their team to a respectable total. The wicketkeeper batsman Ruan de Swardt was the best player for the Proteas who played a wonderful innings of 36. David Bedingham also played well. After the initial dominance, the Kiwi bowlers were regularly frustrated by the visiting batters. An intriguing second day awaits where the match would build up towards its crescendo.
