New Zealand slumped to an innings and 27-run defeat in Cape Town on Friday as South Africa used the new ball to maximum effect and made sure the visitors failed to reach tea on day three of the first Test.
The Black Caps were never able to recover from going all out for 45 on day one, and despite a battling century from Dean Brownlie in the morning session, it was an easy win for the world’s top Test side as they reduced the Kiwis to 275 all out.
Dale Steyn was the destroyer-in-chief on day three, as he sent stumps flying in the afternoon session. He ended with three wickets, while Vernon Philander added two more to his tally after taking a magnificent five-fer on day one.
The only highlight for the hapless Black Caps was Brownlie’s maiden ton, as he made 109 off 186 balls before being dismissed on the stroke of lunch. He and BJ Watling managed to resist the Proteas all morning, but Brownlie could not withstand Morne Morkel and the new cherry and fell just after noon.
Watling will also look back on his innings with a bit of pride, because although he only made 42, he batted for over three hours, starting in the evening on day two, and used a up a considerable number of deliveries.
But once the stalwart pair were dismissed, it was plain sailing for the hosts as Doug Bracewell and Jeetan Patel were sent packing cheaply. James Franklin provided stubborn resistance against Steyn, but the world’s premier paceman got his man in the end, sending Franklin’s bails flying for 22.
Chris Martin was the final man to fall, adding yet another duck to his record as the most clueless Test batsman, though this time he didn’t even get to face a delivery as he was run out by Steyn while crossing with Trent Boult.
The second and final Test will be played in Port Elizabeth, starting on 11 January.
