south africa vs newzeland

South Africa v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth, 4th day

South Africa wrap up huge innings victory

The Report by Andrew McGlashan

January 14, 2013

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South Africa 525 for 8 dec (du Plessis 137, Amla 110, Elgar 103*) beat New Zealand 121 (Watling 63, Steyn 5-17) and 211 (Watling 63, Brownlie 53, Steyn 3-48) by an innings and 193 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

	Dale Steyn wrapped up the Test match with three more wickets © Gallo Images Enlarge
Related Links Players/Officials: Dean Brownlie | Jacques Kallis | Dale Steyn | BJ Watling Matches: South Africa v New Zealand at Port Elizabeth Series/Tournaments: New Zealand tour of South Africa Teams: New Zealand | South Africa

It took South Africa less than a session to complete a crushing innings-and-193-runs victory in Port Elizabeth. Despite more resistance the second time from New Zealand it was only ever a matter of time, and the second new ball hurried the game to a conclusion with Dale Steyn taking his match haul to eight wickets.

Although two Tests is barely enough to constitute a series this is still South Africa's first whitewash since 2008. It is nothing less than what was expected, but the professionalism and efficiency of their displays, even taking into account the paucity of the opposition, showed the hunger they have to keep winning and not lose their focus after reaching, and retaining, the No. 1 ranking.

BJ Watling and Dean Brownlie, the two shining lights in New Zealand's generally dismal batting, carried their fifth-wicket stand to 98 and both reached gutsy half-centuries, but Jacques Kallis' dismissal of Brownlie, pushing away from his body, shortly before the 80-over mark - South Africa took the new ball - was the beginning of the end.

Smart stats The innings and 193-run win is South Africa's largest against New Zealand surpassing the innings and 180-run win in Wellington in 1953. It is also the second-largest victory margin in Tests in Port Elizabeth. For the first time, South Africa beat New Zealand by an innings in two consecutive Tests. In the 1950s, they had registered three innings wins in five Tests. South Africa's win-loss ratio (7.00) against New Zealand since the hosts' readmission to Tests is the third-highest against a particular opposition after Australia's 14.00 (against Sri Lanka) and Australia's 8.50 (against New Zealand). Dale Steyn's match figures of 8 for 65 are his third-best against New Zealand. It is also the fourth-best bowling performance in a Test in Port Elizabeth since South Africa's readmission. BJ Watling scored his second half-century of the match. He is only the seventh New Zealand player (first wicketkeeper) to make two fifty-plus scores in a Test against South Africa.

Colin Munro avoided a king pair on debut and connected with some meaty strokes before playing away from his body and edging Morne Morkel, from around the wicket, to third slip. It was clearly a hopeless cause for New Zealand but it was another disappointing shot.

Steyn then regained the rhythm that was occasionally a little lacking the previous afternoon with a classy new-ball display. A beautiful delivery, moving away late, was too good for Watling - and that was nothing to be ashamed about - meaning the wicketkeeper ended with a pair of 63s in the Test, a commendable effort and one that should ensure a lengthy run in the side.

Against the remaining batsmen it was not really a fair contest. Doug Bracewell was turned around as he played to leg, the resulting outside edge well held, low at third slip, by Alviro Petersen. Trent Boult, promoted ahead of the hapless Jeetan Patel, then flapped at a short ball from Morkel which looped to point. The final wicket went to Steyn, Neil Wagner top-edging a hook, to give him match figures of 8 for 65.

New Zealand now have three one-day internationals to try and regain some pride, but their Test cricket set-up remains in something resembling chaos. South Africa, though, are a formidable team. It is hoped that Pakistan will provide them with a tougher contest next month.