New Zealand vs South Africa: Matt Henry Decimates Proteas With 7/23 To Bowl Them Out for 95 in Christchurch

Matt Henry put in a devastating display of swing bowling to bowl South Africa out for 95 on day 1 of the Christchurch Test. Henry ended up with figures of 15-7-23-7, with only Zubayr Hamza registering a high score of 25. Matt Henry ended up with the fourth-best figures for a New Zealand bowler in the history of Tests. Overall, this was the seventh-best haul by a bowler in the history of Tests against South Africa. Henry’s spell has put New Zealand on top and given them a realistic chance of winning a rare Test against South Africa.

Henry’s spell of 7/23 is the joint-third best by a New Zealand bowler in Tests. Ajaz Patel has the best figures by a Kiwi bowler when he took 10/119 against India in Mumbai in 2021. Sir Richard Hadlee had figures of 9/52 against Australia in Brisbane in 1985. Sir Richard also took 7/23 against India in the Wellington Test in 1976. Here are the top bowling spells by a New Zealand bowler in Tests.

New Zealand chose to bowl on a green deck at the Hagley Oval. Immediately, Matt Henry struck. He removed skipper Dean Elgar with a full ball that nipped away. The South Africa skipper edged it to Tim Southee at slip for 1. Having gotten the early breakthrough, New Zealand looked to build the pressure. Kyle Jamieson struck in his first over as he dismissed Sarel Erwee for 10.

Matt Henry Wrecks South Africa, Puts New Zealand on Top

Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen tried to build a steady partnership but Henry returned. He dismissed both Markram and van der Dussen in the same over to dismantle the South Africa top order. Temba Bavuma and Zubayr Hamza helped South Africa to lunch without many hassles. But, after the lunch break, the procession continued.

Tim Southee dismissed Bavuma. However, Hamza held firm. He found good support from Kyle Verreynne. Hamza was dropped by Henry off his own bowling for 24. But, the bowler had his revenge immediately after the drinks break. Henry sent back Hamza for 25 as the batter poked a back of a length delivery to the keeper.

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From that point on, it was an exhibition of bowling from Matt Henry. He trapped Verreynne for 18 and then proceeded to clean the tail up. Henry was on a hat-trick when he dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Glenton Stuurman to end up 7/23. Here are the best bowling figures in Tests against South Africa

However, he missed the chance and Neil Wagner dismissed Duanne Olivier to bowl South Africa out for 95. This is the lowest score for South Africa in Test history against New Zealand.