Sarel Erwee Stars With Maiden Test Century as the Proteas Finally Pitch Up for Series Against New Zealand

• The Proteas enjoyed their first successful day on their whirlwind two-Test series tour to New Zealand
• Sarel Erwee scored his maiden Test century as he helped guide the Proteas to a promising 238/3 on the opening day of the second Test
• This comes on the back of a humiliating first Test defeat to the Black Caps, which ended inside the first three days

South Africa's men's national cricket team made a promising and relieving start to the second Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Opening batsman Sarel Erwee made a gritty and determined 108 runs off 221 balls on a day Proteas batsmen finally applied themselves on a bowler-friendly wicket. He was supported by Dean Elgar (41 runs off 101 balls) and the under-fire Aiden Markram (42 runs off 103 balls) as the Kiwis had to work hard to get their wickets, for a change.

As reported on SuperSport.com, captain Elgar made the courageous decision to bat first on a 'green mamba' after winning the toss. What characterised the South Africans' batting effort was how well the left good deliveries, something which was absent last weekend as they were ruthlessly crushed by the hosts.

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Significantly, according to IOL, Erwee and Elgar's 111-run partnership was the first century stand by opening Proteas batsmen since December 2020, when Sri Lanka visited these shores. It was also the first 100-run first wicket partnership away from home by South Africa since a 138-run effort by Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen against Australia in 2012.

Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma were still at the crease by the end of the day's play, on 13* and 22* respectively. They will look to drive home a slight advantage on a pitch that is predicted to get worse to bat on as the match continues.

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The mercurial Khaya Zondo’s unbeaten 59 helped the Dolphins recover from a dodgy 13-3 to reach an awkward 148-5, before shooting out WP for a dismal 83 runs.