NZ vs SA: Matt Henry rips apart South Africa’s batting line-up with career-best seven-wicket haul

New Zealand speedster Matt Henry breathed fire with the red cherry and ripped apart South Africa’s batting line-up in the ongoing first Test Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The right-arm pacer made great use of the track conditions as none of the Proteas batters got going. Henry took a career-best seven-wicket haul as the visitors were skittled out for just 95 while batting first.

Earlier in the match, the coin landed in New Zealand’s favour and stand-in skipper Tom Latham elected to bowl. With Trent Boult being unavailable for this series, Henry got to take the field and he made most of the opportunity. Henry dismissed three of South Africa’s top-four batters, putting his side on the driver’s seat.

A great start to the Test: Matt Henry

Zubayr Hamza (25) and wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne (18) showcased some resilience and looked to rebuild the innings. However, Henry dismissed the duo as well. The pacer went onto record figures of 7/23, joint third-best for any Kiwi bowler in the longest format of the game.

Henry was mighty pleased with his efforts and he expressed the same after the first innings. “A great start to the Test. Great to do it (career-best figures) at the Hagley in front of family and friends. You always want to do well and perform. Odd games here and there don’t go your way. Day 1 at Hagley, you wake up and see cloud cover and fingers crossed you bowl first,” said Henry after the conclusion of the first inning.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s first innings didn’t start off well either as they lost opener Will Young with just eight runs on the board. Skipper Latham was also dismissed after scoring 15 runs. Nonetheless, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholl steadied the ship and took the Kiwis into the lead. As of now, the hosts are crusing in this game and South Africa require a substantial effort to come back in the hunt.