A career-best haul of 6-40 from left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj set South Africa up for an eight wicket win in the second test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday.
With the final day of the first test being washed out and forcing a draw, the Proteas came to Wellington with fire in their bellies - thrashing the Kiwi's inside three days.
Resuming day three on 349-9, it took just 18 balls for the Black Caps to wrap up the South African innings when Jeetan Patel bowled Morne Morkel through the gate for 40. It was equal to Morkel's highest test score, as his invaluable partnership of 57 for the 10th wicket with Vernon Philander (37*) helped the Proteas eek out a 91 run first innings lead as their innings closed on 359.
Morne Morkel then accounted for Tom Latham (6) and Kane Williamson (1) with the new ball before Lunch.
The big fast bowler was at it again after Lunch, nicking off Neil Broom (20) to a superb one handed diving catch from Quinton de Kock.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj then struck a double blow removing first innings hero Henry Nicholls (7) and Jimmy Neesham (4) in the same over. Nicholls bottom edged a sweep onto his stumps, while Neesham double stepped and dragged an attempted on-drive to Faf du Plessis at midwicket who plucked a one handed screamer out of the Wellington sky.
A feisty sixth wicket stand of 65 between Jeet Raval and BJ Watling frustrated the South Africans as they took the Black Caps to Tea. However, it all capitulated rather quickly after the break as Raval was stumped for 80 by Maharaj.
Colin de Grandhomme (0), Tim Southee (4) and BJ Watling (29) all fell to Maharaj with Rabada getting rid of Patel (0). The final five wickets falling within the space of six overs.
171 all out is what the Black Caps ended on, with Maharaj taking career best figures of 6-40 in 20.2 overs. Morkel (3-50) and Rabada (1-38) were the other wicket-takers.
Being set 81 for victory, the Proteas stumbled about taking their time to chase the runs. Openers Stephen Cook (11) and Dean Elgar (17) lost their way, before Hashim Amla (38*) and JP Duminy (15*) steering the Proteas to a eight wicket convincing win.
On the opening day the Kiwi's were asked to bat first and posted 268 all out, courtesy of a sublime maiden test hundred from Henry Nicholls. The young left-hander's positive intent saw him score 118, while JP Duminy also claimed career best bowling figures of 4-47 with his offspin.
The Proteas were in all sorts of trouble on the second morning when they were restricted to 94-6, however a seventh wicket stand of 160 from Quinton de Kock (91) and Temba Bavuma (89) resurrected the visitors innings.
A superb all round showing from the Proteas who utterly dominated the test match with clinical displays with both bat and ball. It won't be all sunshine and roses though, as the top order still need to provide more impetus with the bat. Nonetheless, a 1-0 series lead heading into the third and final test match is more than satisfying.
Maharaj's match haul of 8-87, combined with Duminy's first innings four-for as well a Bavuma and De Kock's counter-attack proving the difference.
- Supersport
