NZ VS SA 2ND TEST

Right then! That is it from this Test match as well as the series. Both teams share the trophy and now pose for the cameras. The cricketing action does not stop here as we have a lot of exciting action coming up as India take on Sri Lanka, while Australia will take on Pakistan in their respective Test series. The Women's World Cup, 2022 is also around the corner, so get ready for an exciting month ahead. We look forward to your company for all the games. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Dean Elgar, the skipper of South Africa, says that they wanted to take a bold decision of batting first and they are very happy with the result. Tells that after having lost the previous game, they wanted to make a strong comeback and he is very happy with the kind of character that his team showed in this Test. Says that they didn't do their basics right in the first Test and were eager to correct their mistakes this time around. Tells that they have some talented young players in their ranks and they will be looking to build a strong team going forward.

Tom Latham, the skipper of New Zealand, says that this is not the outcome they were looking for. Says that they were not able to build enough partnerships and weren't able to put a good first innings score. Tells that the game was in the balance for the majority of the match but the key moments didn't go their way. Adds that they knew South Africa were going to be at their best. Says that regardless of the conditions, they try to do better. Ends by thanking the South African team for coming to New Zealand.

Kagiso Rabada is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He says that it is never easy playing against New Zealand and says that when one plays, one needs to get the job done. Tells that they have been in such situations before. Adds that New Zealand were too good in the first Test but they had to win this one to make it 1-1. Informs that as a pacer, he would love to bowl on the wicket that was used in the first Test. Says that the lower order needed to step up with the bat and that's what they did. On Jamieson's catch, he says that it was a last-second decision to go for it and he is glad that he pulled it off.

Matt Henry is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES. He says that South Africa outplayed them in this match and they deserve to win. Adds that they fought hard but the South Africans were too good for them. Tells that he takes his batting very seriously and he enjoys batting out in the middle. Mentions that they wanted to take it ball-by-ball during the chase but failed to do so.

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Keshav Maharaj is up for a quick chat. He says that it was nice to take the last wicket and end the proceedings. Mentions that the coaching staff put faith in him and thanks them for supporting him and giving him the opportunity. Adds that luckily the rain gods were on their side and managed to get them back on the field. Says that he just keeps bowling and bowling when he is not playing and tries to follow a routine. Informs that the coaches have been working with him in the nets and on the various aspects of his game

South Africa's second innings saw their wicketkeeper, Kyle Verreynne scoring his maiden Test hundred and Verreynne along with Rabada and Mulder made sure that New Zealand chase a mammoth total in the final innings. Well, chasing 426 runs was always going to be a tough ask and the Kiwis didn't get off to a good start either. Devon Conway and Tom Blundell dug in deep but they too perished at a crucial juncture in the game and then it was just a matter of time before they were bowled out. The lower order batters did show some fight but surviving the day was always going to be a huge challenge. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj took three wickets apiece in the final innings and that ended New Zealand's hopes of winning a Test series against South Africa.

Earlier in the Test, it were the South African batters that set the tone for them as their opener Sarel Erwee notched up his maiden Test hundred. He was well-supported by the other batters which ensured that South Africa put on a good first innings total. Then with the ball, it was Kagiso Rabada who grabbed a five-wicket haul and apart from Daryl Mitchell and Colin de Grandhomme who brought up his second Test hundred, no other New Zealand batter looked promising, and as a result, South Africa got a healthy lead of 71 runs in the first innings.

What a comeback this has been from the Proteas after suffering a thumping defeat in the first Test. South Africa have managed to draw the series 1-1 and they are yet to lose a Test series against the Kiwis. It has been a complete team performance from them and they deserve to win this Test. New Zealand would be disappointed with the way they went about things in this Test, especially after a comprehensive win in the previous match but they have been completely outplayed by the tourists in the second Test.

OUT! LBW! Keshav Maharaj ends the proceedings. Took a little long than what they would have wanted but doesn't matter as they have won this Test. Flatter and quicker, on middle and leg, coming in with the angle. Matt Henry presses forward and looks to block but misses. He gets pinged on the front pad. Keshav Maharaj turns and appeals. The umpire raises his dreaded finger. Matt Henry does go for the review. UltraEdge shows a flat line and Ball Tracker shows all three reds. The on-field decision stands. Celebrations all around as South Africa win by 198 runs!

Review! Matt Henry has opted for a review after being adjudged LBW! That did look plumb to the naked eye! Yes, it is. The Ball Tracker indicates three reds and New Zealand are bowled out.

Full and on middle, blocked out.

Floats it up, on middle. Henry keeps it out.

Loopy ball, on leg. Matt Henry pads it away. South Africa make a huge appeal for an lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

Tossed up, on middle. Matt Henry lunges forward and blocks it out.

Who will bowl from the other end? Keshav Maharaj it is.