NZ VS RSA - 1st Test, South Africa tour of New Zealand, 2024

We are done with the first Test of the tour. It was a one-sided battle. Given SA have fielded a very young and inexperienced side, the story might be the same in the next Test as well. History beckons NZ as they will be on the verge of beating a SA team in Tests. But there were a few positives with the bat for SA like Hamza, Bedingham and Petersen. They would want to score big next time around. The NZ team as usual will look to be as professional as they can be. On that note, our team of Pradeep Krishnamurthy, Mukesh and Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off.

Tim Southee: On a good surface, the batters set it up and the bowlers picked up 20 wickets. Very pleasing. We had great preparation. They compete. They are a proud nation. When you come to the Mount, it does offer that little bit more later in the Test. Pleasing to see Mitch Santner coming back into the team. We got better as the Test went on. As a group we were a bit better in the second innings. We would enjoy this one. Lot of focus will shift back to the next Test.

Neil Brand: Very deflating. Felt we were in the game. Outplayed by a very good NZ team. Our patience was tested on this wicket. Back to the drawing board and hope we can compete better. Disappointing to lose a wicket after a lunch break or drinks. The dressing room is hurting a lot. Massive honour picking up 6 wickets.

Rachin Ravindra, Player of the Match: Any capacity to a team victory is extremely pleasing. Happy that we got the job done. I will rate this very highly. We are all humble and just do the right things (smiles). He (KW) has got 31 Test tons and I only have one. The beauty of this team is that as long as you are trying, you feel the belonging to the team. The coach and the management ensure that.

17:47 Local Time, 04:47 GMT, 10:17 IST: It's all over on day 4. It seemed so when NZ declared overnight ahead of the start today. The conditions were overcast and the openers fell in the first couple of overs. But then van Tonder and Hamza batted well and went into lunch. But both perished after lunch. Then the Bedingham and Petersen partnership flourished as the former just went hell for leather and racked up some quick runs. He fell after tea and then it was just about a matter of time. Jamieson got a four-fer. Santer a three-fer again. And NZ won by a huge margin of 281 runs. It was all set up the by the first innings of the Test. Ravindra got a double ton and Williamson got a hundred and followed it up with another ton in the second innings when NZ decided to bat again in search of some quick runs. 529 as a target was always on the lines of being over optimistic and SA never ever threatened that.

Santner to Paterson, out Caught by Williamson!! Jamieson won't have a fifer. Santner has finished it off. He ends with 6 scalps in the game. Fitting that Kane Williamson takes the final catch. That was a floaty delivery outside off, Paterson dragged it across the line and ended up finding the man at long-on. Easy catch for his standards. And the fun for Paterson ended. SA lose this by 281 runs and NZ take a 1-0 lead. Paterson c Williamson b Santner 15(17) [4s-3]

Santner to Paterson, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Santner to Ruan de Swardt, 1 run, goes back and stabs it down into the off-side for a single. Single only. Ruan de Swardt moves to 34

Santner to Paterson, 1 run, looks to heave it away and gets a leading edge to send it over cover for a single

Santner to Paterson, no run, fuller, flighted, Paterson defends it out into the off-side

Santner to Ruan de Swardt, 1 run, little turn, takes the edge, the ball goes behind square for a single

Santner to Ruan de Swardt, FOUR, waits on the short ball bowled at 74.6 kph and slams the pull to send it between deep square and deep mid for a four

Jamieson to Paterson, no run, fuller delivery well outside off at 129.3 kph, the batter cue-ends it out into the deck

Jamieson to Paterson, no run, banged in short, doesn't scale much bounce at 126 kph and Paterson ducks under it

Jamieson to Ruan de Swardt, 1 run, fuller length delivery, well down leg, clipped down to long leg for a single. Jamieson has another chance to get a fifer. Two more balls to go in this over

Jamieson to Paterson, 1 run, put down by the man at mid-on! Henry drops it. The ball burst through his hands. That was short, the batter pulled it and was dropped.

Jamieson to Paterson, no run, banged in short, the batter backs away and ducks under it

Jamieson to Ruan de Swardt, 1 run, shapes it into the batter and has been nudged down on to the on-side for a single

Santner to Paterson, no run, floaty outside off and Paterson looks to slog sweep but misses

Santner to Paterson, FOUR, connects this time! Clubs one across the line and sends it over mid-on for a four. That was fuller from Santner and Paterson did well to connect on it