The New Zealand Test cricket team scripted history and ended their 92-year-long wait by beating South Africa in a 2-match Test series played in February 2024.
New Zealand Beats South Africa in a Test Series After 92 Years
A total of 2 tests have been scheduled to be played during the South Africa tour of New Zealand 2024. New Zealand won both the games in an extraordinary way and scripted history.
New Zealand won the 1st Test by 281 runs which was played between February 4 to 7 at Mount Maunganui. With Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson’s 240 and 118 runs respectively, NZ scored 511 runs in the 1st inning.
On the other hand, South Africa scored just 162 runs and lost all their 10 wickets. Again in the 2nd inning, Williamson scored 109 runs and led NZ to score 179 runs for 4 wickets and declared the inning.
South Africa in their 2nd inning managed to score 247 runs for 10 wickets and lost the match by massive 281 runs. Rachin Ravindra bagged the Player of the Match award for the 1st Test for his outstanding double century.
South Africa were in need of winning the 2nd test to draw the series. Winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and scored 242 runs in the 1st inning while New Zealand managed to score 211 runs for 10 wickets in the 1st inning.
With the lead in the 1st inning, South Africa scored 235 runs for 10 wickets whereas New Zealand needed 266 runs to win the 2nd test. With Williamson’s unbeaten 133 and Will Young’s 60 runs, New Zealand reached the target comfortably and created history.
Though Williamson scored a handful of runs, kiwi’s William ORourke was awarded the player of the match title for his 4 and 5 wicket haul in the 1st and 2nd innings in the 2nd test respectively.
With the series victory, New Zealand ends their 92 long years of waiting. Moreover, New Zealand took 18 attempts to achieve this feat.
