South Africa are on the verge of an embarrassing defeat in Christchurch, as bowler Matt Henry played the hero once again – this time with the bat.
The Proteas are three down at stumps, needing another 353 runs to make New Zealand bat again after a sparkling hitting performance by the hosts.
Henry Nicholls, who was dropped twice on day one in the early stages of his innings, punished those misfields by recording his eighth Test century before eventually being dismissed for 105.
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Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell fell agonisingly short of a ton of his own, out on 96, before the innings ended with number 11 Henry unbeaten on 58 with the Black Caps all out for 482.
It was the 12th-highest score in Test cricket history by a number 11 batter.
It took just two balls of South Africa’s second dig for Tim Southee to get the breakthrough, Sarel Erwee gone for a duck. Captain Dean Elgar also failed to trouble the scorers, while Aiden Markram was back in the pavilion for just two.
“To get three tonight was pretty amazing,” Blundell said afterwards.
It comes after an astonishing first day at Hagley Oval, which saw Henry claim seven wickets as South Africa were rolled for 93.
The only silver lining for the visitors is that they will avoid their worst defeat in Test cricket – losing to Australia by an innings and 360 runs in 2002.
The second worst, however – a loss to the Aussies by an innings and 259 runs – is in danger of being knocked off.
“He batted so well, it was good fun and I really enjoyed it,” Blundell said of batting with Henry.
“It’s been a hell of a game for him so far.”
Incredibly, in the 45 times these two nations have met in Test cricket, the Kiwis have only won four times.
Barring a major miracle, that number is about to be five.
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