Rachin Ravindra's Brilliance Gives New Zealand Slight Edge in Second Test
Left-arm Spinner Shines as South Africa Reach 220/6 on Day One
On Tuesday, the first day of the second Test, Rachin Ravindra claimed three wickets and put a stop to South Africa's score, giving New Zealand a narrow advantage.
Ravindra bowled 21 overs at a cost of only 33 runs, taking important middle-order wickets including David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, and Zubayr Hamza to tip the scales in favor of New Zealand.
When Ruan de Swardt scored his first-ever half-century and Shaun von Berg, the powerful all-rounder making his Test debut at 37, combined for an unbroken partnership of 70, the hosts were presented with an unexpected challenge. After reaching 220/6 at stumps, De Swardt was 55 not out and Von Berg was undefeated on 34.
On a day marked by unexpected choices, New Zealand relied mostly on Ravindra's left-arm spin after benching Mitchell Santner, who claimed six wickets in the first Test. They also chose four seamers. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, South Africa's Neil Brand became only the second captain in the previous eleven Test matches at Seddon Park.
In brief, South Africa defeated New Zealand 220/6 (Ruan de Swardt batting at 55; Rachin Ravindra 4/33).
Day I at stumps.
