Kyle Jamieson leads Black Caps to 281-run win over South Africa

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Touring side get nowhere near their target of 529 as the hosts win on the fourth day at Bay Oval.

At Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: Black Caps 511 & 179-4 dec beat South Africa 162 & 247 all out (David Bedingham 87; Kyle Jamieson 4-58, Mitchell Santner 3-59) by 281 runs. Click here for the full scorecard.

One win down, one to go to claim the series.

The Black Caps began the fourth day of the first test against South Africa by declaring their second innings closed at 179-4 with a lead of 528.

In the end they only needed a 281-run buffer, as they bowled the visitors out in 80 overs for 247 on Wednesday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Seamer Kyle Jamieson took 4-58, including a key double breakthrough just after tea, while Mitchell Santner picked up 3-59 and wrapped up the job at 5.45pm.

South African captain Neil Brand was given a reprieve early when he successfully reviewed a caught behind decision off Matt Henry, but only lasted until the next over when he was bowled by Tim Southee for three.

Edward Moore then finished his part in a match he’ll want to quickly forget, after dropping Kane Williamson twice, when he hit Henry straight to Devon Conway at extra cover and had to depart for a duck.

Raynard van Tonder and Zubayr Hamza showed more fight, making it to lunch together with their partnership worth 57 and their team’s total at 62-2.

Kyle Jamieson celebrates one of his wickets for the Black Caps on day four of the first test against South Africa.

They lasted fewer than three overs after the break, as Jamieson returned and had van Tonder caught by Tom Latham at first slip for 31. The towering seamer struck again in his next opener, removing Hamza for 36, caught by Southee at mid-on off a top-edged pull.

With new batters in place at either end, the Black Caps had their tails up, chasing an extra day off in the Bay of Plenty on Thursday to go with the one already scheduled for Friday. But by tea, they were back on their haunches, as David Bedingham and Kegan Petersen became the new source of frustration.

South Africa were 173-4 at the break, with Bedingham on 84 - profiting as Southee tried a short-ball attack with a 7-2 leg-side field - and Petersen on 15. Jamieson took over the short-ball duties after tea and got Bedingham with his third ball, caught by Santner at deep square leg for 87.

Operation short-ball also accounted for Petersen, for 16, caught by Rachin Ravindra at fine leg. Glenn Phillips then picked up the first wicket for spin, when Clyde Fortuin pulled him into Latham at short leg and up into wicketkeeper Tom Blundell’s safe hands when on 11.

Santner had Duanne Olivier caught by Daryl Mitchell at first slip for one, then - after a while - trapped Tshepo Moreki LBW. The final man to go was Dane Paterson, caught at long-on by Kane Williamson.

The second test in Hamilton starts next Tuesday, with the Black Caps looking for a win or a draw to secure their first series win over South Africa at the 17th time of trying.