Century from Erwee takes SA on top after day one

A bold call by South Africa to bat first in the second Test against New Zealand paid dividends Friday with the tourists 238 for three, including a maiden century to Sarel Erwee, at stumps on day one.

Erwee, in his second Test, headlined the scoreboard with 108, with 42 from Aiden Markram and 41 from Dean Elgar.

Temba Bavuma(22)and Rassie van der Dussen(13) remained not out at the end of play.

“We’re probably on top at the moment,” said Erwee, who at 32 is a late arrival in the Test arena, and started cautiously before opening up as a fine strokemaker with 14 fours from the 221 deliveries he faced.

“To sit here today with a Test hundred behind my name is extremely special.

“It’s a very special day I must say. Probably 24 months ago I probably didn’t think I’d be in a position to even be close to a South African Test squad.”

The Proteas, trounced in the first Test and needing to win to save the series, surprised when they won the toss and elected to bat at Hagley Oval, where the customary green-tinged wicket favours seamers on the opening day.

Elgar became the first captain to win the toss and not bowl in the 11-Test history at the Oval. Elgar-Elwee posted South Africa’s first century opening stand in 16 innings, and first away from home in a decade.

While conditions were favourable for batting, there was some assistance for the bowlers, with Southee getting one delivery to swing sharply into Elgar then nip away to take the off-stump.

Markram looked set on 42 when he was lulled into a drive by Neil Wagner and nicked the off-cutter to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.