Recap: Black Caps vs South Africa - first test, day 4 at Bay Oval

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

First test:** Black Caps v South Africa. Where: Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui. When: 11am Wednesday (day four of five). Coverage: Live on TVNZ Duke, TVNZ+, live updates on Stuff.**

It looks an elementary task for Tim Southee’s Black Caps to go 1-0 up in the two-test series against an undermanned and outgunned South Africa.

After another dominant day capped by Kane Williamson’s second successive century of the test, New Zealand ended the third day on 179-4 in their second innings.

Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell were the unbeaten batters, with the hosts leading by a mammoth 528 and a declaration surely imminent.

The weather is unlikely to intervene in the Black Caps’ charge to victory, either.

MetService forecasts more fine weather and a maximum of 27C for Tauranga on Wednesday.

New Zealand captain Tim Southee with his side in a huddle during the first test.

The teams

Black Caps: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (capt).

South Africa: Neil Brand (capt), Edward Moore, Raynard van Tonder, Zubayr Hamza, David Bedingham, Keegan Peterson, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Duanne Olivier, Tshepo Moreki, Dane Paterson.