Resurgent Proteas on the Verge of Pulling Off Amazing Test Win Against New Zealand

Resurgent Proteas on the Verge of Pulling Off Amazing Test Win Against New Zealand

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 22, 2024 at 8:38 AM
  • South Africa put itself firmly in the driving seat to complete an incredible comeback win against New Zealand
  • Kyle Verreynne's century and Kagiso Rabada's devastating knock in the lower, coupled with an explosive bowling effort, put the Proteas on the brink of a famous victory
  • The team now needs six wickets on the final day of the match to tie a series that was seemingly lost

Verreynne's crucial 136* runs off 187 balls - his maiden Test hundred - and Rabada's ruthless career-high 47 in just 34 deliveries took the game away from the Kiwis. The visitors had begun the day with an iffy 211 run lead, but by the time the two batsmen were done, the hosts needed an improbable world record 426 to complete a first ever Test series win over South Africa.

As reported on Supersport.com, South African captain Dean Elgar declared on 354 runs for the loss of nine wickets in the 100th over to give themselves a chance of victory. Tim Southee (2-90), Matt Henry (2-81), Kyle Jamieson (2-81) and Neil Wagner (2-81) all chipped in with almost identical bowling figures as the Proteas made them toil in ideal batting conditions.

new zealand, south africa, cricket, test match, christchurch, hagley oval, kyle verreynne, kagiso rabada
The Proteas' Kyle Verreynne on the way to a crucial century against New Zealand in Christchurch. Image source: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

Rabada then turned destroyer-in-chief with the ball. He accounted for the wickets of openers Thomas Latham and Will Young to finish the day with two wickets for 17 runs in eight miserly overs.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj then proved that he would play a crucial part in the latter stages of the match as the pitch deteriorated. He spun out Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell with returns of two for 32 runs in 16 stingy overs.

Devon Conway and Thomas Blundell were at the crease at the close of play on 60 and one run respectively. The two batters along with first innings centurion Colin de Grandhomme - and perhaps rain - are the last hope for New Zealand.

CSA T20 Challenge: Paarl Rocks as men from the Cape shock cup favourites Momentum Multiply Titans

A crucial score of 71 runs and a dogged bowling and fielding performance saw the Paarl Rocks pull off a monumental 15-run upset victory against the Momentum Multiply Titans.

As reported on Sports Brief, the final was the second straight cup win by the GBETS Rocks.

Wickets fell regularly after the Rocks had chosen to bat first but Malan stood firm with a remarkable innings of 71 from just 56 deliveries, which was the basis of the victory.

Authors
Keba Mothoagae photo
Keba Mothoagae
Editor- Local Desk
Tags
ProteasSouth Africa