New Zealand vs South Africa 2017: 1st Test, 5 talking points

Modified Mar 12, 2017 10:33 IST

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 09: Dean Elgar of South Africa bats during day two of the First Test match between New Zealand and South Africa at University Oval on March 9, 2017 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images) — Elgar was exceptional for the South Africans in both innings.

#2 Teams struggle with their reviews

DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 11: JP Duminy of South Africa bats during day four of the First Test match between New Zealand and South Africa at University Oval on March 11, 2017 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images) — Duminy survived courtesy some poor DRS calls from New Zealand

Both teams had their moments with the Decision Review System (DRS) in the first Test. While South Africa managed it better than the Kiwis, they weren't pretty good either and will have to do a lot of work in the background.

New Zealand messed up the review thrice in the second innings, all of them against JP Duminy. They reviewed for an LBW when there was an inside edge and reviewed a caught behind when there was no clear outside edge. When Patel did strike Duminy in front, the umpire did not give it out and New Zealand did not bother to review it.

South Africa, on the other hand, had opener Stephen Cook walking back without reviewing after being adjudged caught behind off of the fourth ball of the second innings when there was no edge from his bat. Both teams will need to get their DRS calls spot on going further. In a tightly contested series, one decision could change the course of a Test.