South Africa put together a sterling effort with the bat on Day 1, as they righted the wrongs from the last game with steely determination.
It all began with the toss when Dean Elgar opted to bite the bullet and bat first, despite the previous result. It proved to be a calculated risk, as the Hagley Oval surface was more on the slower side compared to last time. He also became the first captain to win the toss and bat at the ground.
The opening session was far from easy to negotiate, as all the Blackcaps seamers frequently extracted swing and lateral movement. A rather measured and cautious approach from openers Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee helped ease the early passage of play. From then on, Elgar took a back seat, while Erwee consistently took full advantage of the deliveries that were too short, wide, or full.
In only his second Test match, Erwee exuded plenty of confidence and concentration. Swing was what troubled the SA batters last game, but Erwee in particular was up to the task. He reached his half-century before lunch, but the Proteas were dealt a setback when a peach of an in-swinger from Tim Southee hit the top of Elgar’s off stump.
Aiden Markram came in at No 3, in the best possible situation given the context of the game. The platform was set, and it was his turn to capitalize. He may often be known for his penchant to score quickly, but he was markedly more subdued early in his innings, calmly leaving deliveries that weren’t targeting the stumps and trusting his defence against the relentless NZ attack.
Meanwhile, Erwee’s patient innings continued in the same manner. He was stuck in the tantalizing, nervous 90s for nearly 11 overs, but finally reached triple figures with a fierce pull shot off Neil Wagner. It was a well-deserved reward for the hard yards over the years. He’s been in and around the squad for several months, and this was a vital knock to see through the toughest period of play to potentially drive his team towards a large total.
Markram started to find his feet after tea, with two boundaries off Kyle Jamieson in the 62nd over catalyzing a potential return to form. He provided excellent support for Erwee, as they added 88 runs between them for the second wicket. It was going briskly well for South Africa, but Test cricket has its twists and turns. As Markram was approaching a half-century of his own, he edged an attempted drive off Wagner straight into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at first slip.
In the very next over, New Zealand would taste more success, as the well-set Erwee played a half-hearted drive, nicking off to the keeper. With both the settled batsmen now out of the scene, it was back to rebuilding the innings. Temba Bavuma rode his share of luck in his first four balls, edging two through the cordon. But he returned from where he left off, cashing in with another two pristinely timed boundaries off Jamieson.
Towards the back end of the third session, Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen remained stoic with their defence to see through the remainder of the overs.
South Africa finished on 238/3 with Temba Bavuma (22) and Rassie van der Dussen (13) at the crease.
Photo: photosport.nz/CSA
