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We have had a lot of fun bringing you all the action from this 2-match Test series, friends! We hope you enjoyed out coverage too. Now, it will be about two Trans-Tasman rivals going up against each other from 29 February for another riveting Test series, which you should not miss for sure! But before that, there is a T20I series to look forward to between the teams and that begins on 21 February in Wellington itself, at the Regional Stadium. So do join us for that game and soak in the extravaganza! For now, this is the pair of Rudransh and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda!
So with that, we come to the end of what has been a good series for the hosts. They were up against a team short of experience at this level and slightly low in quality. They made sure that the two Test matches were won, rather convincingly in the end. What this does now is give them more World Test Championship points and some much needed confidence going into the critical Australia series, starting in Wellington. But South Africa did punch above their weight with impressive performances in the second Test! Dane Peidt, Dane Paterson and David Bedingham were the standouts. It will be interesting to see if the Proteas keep the two Danes in their scheme of things going forward, but, Bedingham has kind of assured his place in the next Test match, no matter who is available for that.
William O'Rourke has been adjudged the Player of the Match. What a performance it was from the debutant! 9 wickets in the match, including a Test fifer. It couldn't get any better for him, could it? He will be a serious contender for the first Test match against Australia starting later this month.
New Zealand win by 7 wickets and take the series 2-0!
Kane Williamson - 43 (108) and 133* (260) | William O'Rourke - 4/59 (18.2) and 5/34 (13.5) David Bedingham - 39 (102) and 110 (141) | Dane Piedt - 5/89 (32.3) and 3/93 (32)
At the start of Day 4, New Zealand needed 227 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand. It was not going to be easy and they needed a couple of good partnerships to steer them home.
Well, as it turned out, two back-to-back partnerships of 50 runs and more sealed the deal! After the early loss of Tom Latham to who else but Dane Piedt, Kane Williamson teamed up with Rachin Ravindra first and put together 64 runs for the 3rd wicket. And then, an unbeaten stand of 162 runs for the 4th wicket between Will Young and Williamson again got the job done for the hosts!
But the performance of the innings was that of Kane Williamson's! He brought up yet another Test hundred at Seddon Park, his 32nd in this format and 3rd of the series, batted near flawlessly and showed just why he is so good in the 4th innings of a Test by picking up his 5th century, batting last!
The solid defensive strokes off both feet, the magnificent ability to play the ball late, the use of the feet to go both forward and come back and his running between the wickets, broke the back of the South African bowling attack today. Williamson was lucky at times to play and miss, he also played a few shots too early to bring the catching fielders into play, but, made sure to put all of those behind and bat authoritatively!
New Zealand will be mightily impressed with Will Young's effort today as he replaced the injured Daryl Mitchell and made a case for himself for the Test series against Australia with a nice, unbeaten 60 off 134 balls. The knock was glittered with 8 boundaries, including a tremendous sweep against Piedt behind square on the on-side.
South Africa tried hard. They were able to get two left-hand batters out via their reliable off-spinner, but could not break through further and get into the tail. Neither Dane Paterson nor Tshepo Moreki was among the wickets and the all-out effort from Shaun von Berg to strike did not bear fruit either.
It was strange that captain Neil Brand did not bowl himself at all in this innings, having taken as many as 8 wickets in the last match! But, this South African outfit gave it their all to upset the apple cart. Just that the quality and experience of this home side was way too good!
After 92 years, New Zealand win a Test series against South Africa! And quite befittingly, Kane Williamson finishes things off in style!
94.2 Tshepo Moreki to Kane Williamson, FOUR! NEW ZEALAND BEAT SOUTH AFRICA IN A TEST SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! And it's the perfect man to do it with the perfect shot - an immaculate cover drive from outside the off-stump! The hosts take the clean sweep. South Africa go home with a lot more experience but without any wins to show beside their names. End of a good one!
Only fine-leg is back on the fence for South Africa.
94.1 Tshepo Moreki to Kane Williamson, length ball on the off-stump, blocked back
Only a couple of runs remain for the Blackcaps to pick up more WTC points and seal a series win for the first time against the Proteas.
94
overs
265/3score
0
0
1
0
1
1
runs
Kane Williamson*
129(258)
Will Young
60(134)
Dane Piedt
3/93
93.6 Dane Piedt to Kane Williamson, walks down the track to knock it to mid-wicket for one more
93.5 Dane Piedt to Will Young, short on the stumps, goes behind in his crease and pulls it to mid-wicket for one
93.4 Dane Piedt to Will Young, comes down the track and pushes it to the bowler
One hit away are New Zealand!
93.3 Dane Piedt to Kane Williamson, fuller on the leg-stump, flicked to the leg-side for one
93.2 Dane Piedt to Kane Williamson, fuller on middle and leg, clipped to mid-wicket
Close to the off-stump on the ricochet there!
93.1 Dane Piedt to Kane Williamson, length ball outside the off-stump, Williamson pokes at it but misses
So, do we see Kane Williamson step out and pump one over the boundary to win it for New Zealand now? Or does he do it the way we know him to? Either way, the writing is on the wall for South Africa.