Beginning on February 4, the opening test of the two-game Test series between South Africa and New Zealand was played at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. New Zealand lost the toss and elected to bat first in the match. The hosts did not start well at the bat.
Early in the match, South Africa showed incredible effort as they dismissed Tom Latham and Devon Conway, the openers for New Zealand. Tshepo Moreki dismissed Conway LBW as he failed to make a strong impact. Latham was dismissed for just 20 runs after he edged a length ball from Dane Paterson to give a catch straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin. The star opener was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just one run in two deliveries as the debutant struck on his very first ball in Test cricket.
But Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra steadied the innings for New Zealand, displaying their brilliance to make their individual hundreds and cause some trouble for the visiting team.
Williamson scored 112 runs in 259 deliveries to end the first day undefeated, while Ravindra scored his first Test century with 118 runs in 211 deliveries. After scoring 219 runs without losing a wicket for the third wicket, New Zealand concluded at 258/2.
On Day 1, the sole wicket-takers for South Africa were Moreki and Paterson. In order to extend their lead before they bowl, New Zealand will try to pile on the runs against a young South African team.
These are the top tweets from the first day:
Incredible player Rachin Ravindra.
Maiden Test Century against South Africa #SAvNZ#NZvSA#INDvsENGTestpic.twitter.com/8SgyvRVMSq
— !BabarAzamTheLegend!💯 (@BabarAzamTheLeg) February 4, 2024
30th Test 💯 for Kane Williamson.#NZvSA https://t.co/QRpxGvh834
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) February 4, 2024
Maiden Test ton for our New Southpaw 💛🥳#NZvSA #WhistlePodu
📸 Blackcaps pic.twitter.com/mGGEzPu7dj— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) February 4, 2024
New Zealand scored 258/2 on Stumps Day 1 at Mount Maunganui.
Rachin Ravindra on 118*
Kane Williamson on 112*
Partnership 219 runs.#NZvSA pic.twitter.com/HXZQss9CBb— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) February 4, 2024
Made my Sunday special already🥺♥️#NZvSA pic.twitter.com/C43Veze50X
— Addy (@AkModirocks) February 4, 2024
Kane Williamson is now averaging 55 in Test cricket…!!! 🤯#KaneWilliamson #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/l2xTjtEucO
— Harry (@Deny9098) February 4, 2024
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