Proteas bowled out as Black Caps cruise to Test win at Mount Maunganui

By Doug Mattushek
7th February 2024

An inexperienced South African side were beaten by 281 runs by New Zealand in the first of two Test matches in the land of the long white cloud.

The Black Caps finished day three on 179/4 and left the visitors to ponder, eventually declaring overnight to leave the Proteas with an improbable target of 528 runs to win.

The surprise declaration seemingly paid off, as the pace duo of Tim Southee and Matt Henry had openers Edward Moore and captain Neil Brand back in the pavilion inside three overs and the Proteas teetering on 5/2.

Stoic innings' from Raynard van Tonder and Zubayr Hamsa soaked up the pressure and plenty of balls but when the latter fell, South Africa were 73/4 just after lunch.

David Beddingham entered the fray and while he edged two past the lone slip and looked unsettled, Henry charging in with the short ball plan changed his mindset. The right-hander took him on and managed to collect several boundaries, notching up his 50 in 69 balls.

Together with the workmanlike Keegan Petersen, the pair put on a 100-run partnership. Beddingham then took a liking to spinner Mitchell Santer and the Proteas accumulated 71 runs in the last ten overs before tea.

Finally, Bedingham's swashbuckling innings came to an end, 13 runs short of what would have been his maiden Test ton, when he miscued a short ball from Kyle Jamieson.

Jamieson struck again in his next over to dismiss Petersen for 16 (63) and the end was in sight for the hosts.

Ruan de Swart provided some resistance with a well-played 34 not out, but the Proteas around him wilted, as Santner cleaned up the tail to earn the Black Caps the spoils.