Dane Piedt bowled an inspiring spell to put the hosts under pressure in the second Test against New Zealand. Despite posting a moderate first innings score, the visitors have secured a crucial 31 run lead after the completion of play on day two. The South Africans have fielded an inexperienced side against the Kiwis on the tour.
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
The 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 in particular, can play a key role with the new ball. If they can exploit the existing conditions effectively, the batsmen will 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 make 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 dominance 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 matches have finished in draws. In the tests on New Zealand soil, the home team has secured three 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 second and final game of the two match series was played at the iconic Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. |
| Date | The game started on Tuesday, February 14, 2024, at 10:30. local time. |
Captaincy & Tactics
Dane Piedt had a smashing day on Wednesday in the second Test match against New Zealand, grabbing a career-best 5-89 to bundle out the Kiwis for 211. This unexpected performance helped South Africa secure a first-innings lead after being bowled out for 242 on Day 2, following a dramatic day where 14 wickets tumbled.
Even though New Zealand was struggling at 183-9, Neil Wagner’s gritty innings of 33 prevented a bigger lead for South Africa. Piedt shone brightly by dismissing key batsmen like Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Glenn Phillips, showcasing an outstanding bowling display alongside Dane Paterson, who claimed 3-39 and took out Devon Conway early in the innings.
Piedt, reflecting on his checkered Test career marked by ups and downs due to injuries, expressed pride in the team’s fighting spirit. He credited a team chat after the first Test loss for the turnaround, commending everyone for their contributions.
The match saw unusual dismissals with four batters getting bowled off inside edges and one caught behind off an inside edge onto the pad, indicating unpredictable bounce at Seddon Park. The pitch, known for favoring seamers, surprisingly played differently, as seen when Rachin Ravindra bowled 21 overs on day one.
Piedt’s off-spin came to the fore during the middle session, troubling even the best New Zealand batsmen with sharp turn and challenging deliveries. The 33-year-old, who debuted in 2014 against Zimbabwe, has had a rollercoaster Test career with breaks and comebacks, including limited success in previous appearances.
Considering switching allegiance to the United States, Piedt’s recent recall for the series reignited his passion for representing South Africa, where he thrived and made a resounding impact on the ongoing Test match series.
Batting Analysis
In his first Test appearance since 2019, Dane Piedt showcased his finest bowling performance yet in the format, propelling South Africa into the lead on day two in Hamilton. The offspinner excelled by claiming 5 wickets for 89 runs as New Zealand crumbled to 211 in reply to South Africa’s 242. Despite New Zealand reaching 143 for 3 at one point, they dramatically lost their last seven wickets for a mere 68 runs, allowing South Africa to secure a 31-run advantage.
The pivotal moment came when fast bowler Tshepo Moreki dismissed Rachin Ravindra at the conclusion of a seven-over spell split across tea time. Ravindra, a left-handed batsman, attempted a cut shot but only managed to inside edge the ball onto his leg stump.
Shortly after, Tom Blundell became the fourth batsman of the day to fall victim to playing on. He failed to withdraw his defensive shot in time against Dane Paterson, resulting in the ball hitting the back of his bat and deflecting onto the stumps.
Having already dismissed Tom Latham and Kane Williamson earlier, Piedt soon removed Glenn Phillips with a well-spun offbreak. Phillips could only manage an inside edge onto his pad, giving wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin a straightforward catch.
Although Will Young, batting at number 5 in Test cricket for the first time, put up a fight, the continuous loss of wickets at the other end forced his hand. Young attempted to take on Piedt by coming down the track and ended up skying a catch to long-on.
Piedt missed out on claiming his fifth wicket when Tim Southee edged one to first slip, but Shaun von Berg failed to grab onto the low chance. Eventually, Southee fell to Paterson for a mere 5 runs.
A miscommunication led to Matt Henry being run out, leaving New Zealand struggling at 183 for 9, still trailing by 59 runs. However, Neil Wagner’s quick 33 off 27 deliveries narrowed the deficit before falling victim to Piedt’s guile, resulting in the spinner completing his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Bowling Analysis
In the morning session, South Africa could only add 22 runs to their overnight total of 220 for 6, losing their remaining wickets in just 8.2 overs. Debutant Will O’Rourke broke the stubborn seventh-wicket partnership between Ruan de Swardt and von Berg, with von Berg edging one onto his off stump. The duo, who had amassed 70 runs the previous evening, could only add another seven runs.
On the other end, Piedt gloved a bouncer from Southee down the leg side, with Blundell diving forward to take a low catch.
A few overs later, O’Rourke had de Swardt bowled by getting an inside edge off a defensive shot that dislodged the bails. Paterson followed suit by mistiming a shot, giving O’Rourke figures of 4 for 59. He would be on a hat-trick opportunity when he bowls his first ball the next day.
New Zealand didn’t start their innings well either, with Paterson having Devon Conway caught behind for a duck in the very first over. Latham and Williamson adopted a defensive strategy against disciplined bowling. At one juncture, Williamson was 1 run off 21 balls, with their partnership at 17 runs in 12.2 overs.
The first boundary of the innings arrived in the 14th over when Williamson swept a delivery from Piedt to the square leg boundary.
By lunchtime, New Zealand had reached 27 for 1 in 16 overs. After the interval, Latham and Williamson increased the tempo of their innings. Latham aggressively danced down the track to Piedt, smashing him over long-on for a six, while Williamson pulled Paterson for a boundary over midwicket before adding another four off Piedt.
Williamson’s innings was characterised by his dominance on the leg side, with just two of his 43 runs coming on the off side. Both he and Latham displayed composure, unfazed by a sequence of dot balls. Their partnership of 74 runs was eventually disrupted as Piedt deceived Latham, finding the outside edge to clip the off stump.
Following back-to-back boundaries off debutant von Berg, Williamson was dismissed shortly after, caught at short leg off Piedt. Ravindra and Young then steadied New Zealand’s position, but a collapse undid their hard work and left them in a precarious situation.
Key Performances
On Wednesday, in the second Test match between South Africa and New Zealand, Dane Piedt showcased a remarkable performance by taking a career-best 5-89 as he led the Proteas to bowl out New Zealand for 211. This unexpected turn of events granted South Africa a first-innings lead on the second day of the game.
The day started with South Africa being bowled out for 242, having resumed at 220-6. New Zealand, in response, fell short with a 31-run deficit as both teams faced a day dominated by exceptional bowling performances, resulting in a total of 14 wickets being taken.
Despite New Zealand struggling at 183-9, Neil Wagner’s resilient innings of 33 prevented a larger deficit. Piedt’s standout moment in his chequered Test career came as he dismissed key New Zealand batsmen like Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Will Young, and Glenn Phillips. Additionally, Dane Paterson struck early by dismissing Devon Conway for a duck and ended with figures of 3-39.
Reflecting on his journey, Piedt expressed pride in overcoming challenges, injuries, and setbacks in his Test career. The team’s collective effort and resilience were evident as they bounced back from a previous Test loss against New Zealand by putting up a strong performance on the field.
The match saw unusual dismissals with four batsmen – two from each team – getting bowled off inside edges, while another was caught behind off an inside edge onto the pad due to inconsistent bounce at Seddon Park. Piedt’s off-spinning prowess shone through in the middle session, causing troubles for even the best New Zealand batsmen.
Having made his Test debut in 2014 against Zimbabwe, Piedt’s journey had its peaks and valleys, including a stint where he considered switching allegiance to the United States. However, his recent recall for the ongoing series against New Zealand provided him with a platform to showcase his skills and make a significant impact on the game.
Turning Point
In a remarkable turn of events in 2024, Conrad’s astute decision to include Piedt in the South Africa A squad to face West Indies A proved to be a masterstroke. Piedt’s stellar performance, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings and a six-wicket haul against Northern Cape, not only earned him a spot in the squad but also showcased his bowling prowess. These matches served as crucial preparatory games for the South African team’s upcoming series in New Zealand, albeit hindered by Tony de Zorzi’s late inclusion in the SA20 squad.
Piedt’s standout display as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match series further validated Conrad’s unconventional selection and served as a tribute to their enduring coach-mentee relationship. Conrad, who had coached Piedt since 2008, witnessed his growth from excelling in South Africa’s Under-19 cricket week to making his first-class debut in 2010 alongside Dane Paterson.
Returning to the national set-up felt like a nostalgic journey for Piedt, reminiscent of his early days with Paterson in the XI. The camaraderie and progress made over the years brought back fond memories for Piedt, highlighting the enduring bond forged through cricket. Despite the contrast of the year being 2024, the sense of familiarity and camaraderie with his teammates resonated deeply with Piedt.
Amidst the ongoing club versus country debate, Piedt found himself in a pivotal position as the most-capped bowler in the South African Test XI, marking his return after a five-year hiatus in his tenth Test match. The resurgence in his performance reflected a throwback to his earlier success in 2014 when he topped the first-class wicket charts and earned his maiden national call-up.
Reflecting on his bowling prowess, Piedt acknowledged the challenge of facing world-class players like Williamson, lauding the New Zealand captain as the best in the world currently. Despite defending a modest total of 242, Piedt remained unfazed as batters like Latham and Williamson took him on aggressively early on. Adjusting his lines and lengths tactfully, Piedt patiently persisted until he found the right formula to dismiss key batsmen. His satisfaction in outsmarting Williamson, whom he had targeted, resonated through his strategic bowling display, inducing errors with subtle variations and extracting crucial breakthroughs for his team.
Day Result
The New Zealand are trailing by 31 runs after they were bowled out at the score of 211 in their first innings.
Brief Scorecard
| South Africa First Innings: 242 (97.2 overs) | New Zealand First Innings: 211 (77.2 overs) |
| Ruan de Swardt 64 (156) | Kane Williamson 43 (108) |
| David Bedingham 39 (102) | Will Young 36 (73) |
| Will O’Rourke 4/59 (18.2 overs) | Dane Piedt 5/89 (32.3 overs) |
| Rachin Ravindra 3/33 (21.0 overs) | Dan Paterson 3/39 (17 overs) |
Day Highlights
Day Wrap-Up
It was a fantastic day of Test cricket with the two teams showcasing their cricketing prowess. Dane Piedt was the hero of the day with a five wicket haul to give his country a precious 31 run lead. The Kiwi batsmen would be disappointed not to make the most of their opportunity. The South Africans would look to amass a substantial amount of lead to challenge the Kiwis who are trying to clinch their first ever series victory against the Proteas.
