Twitter reactions: Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen shine as South Africa gain upper hand over New Zealand

After the impressive Day 1 performance, South Africa replicated the similar stuff to stay on top over New Zealand on the second day of the ongoing second Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Resuming the first innings at their overnight score of 238/3, the visitors lost four wickets for just 60 runs as Black Caps bowlers fought back in the morning session. Despite South Africa’s middle-order collapse, New Zealand failed to capitalise as Marco Jansen (37 no) and Keshav Maharaj (36) pushed the score to 364 after forming a crucial 62-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

The batting momentum was nicely carried forward in the bowling by the Proteas, thanks to Kagiso Rabada, who wreaked havoc with early blows. Rabada dismissed both the openers, Tom Latham (0) and Will Young (3), to reduce New Zealand to 9/2.

Soon, Jansen, who contributed well with the bat, sizzled with the ball as well, removing set batters Devon Conway (16) and Henry Nicholls (39). Rabada then came back and removed Tom Blundell (6), reducing the hosts to 91/5 in 26.3 overs.

Before the tourists could make any damage further, Colin de Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell joined hands to show some fightback. De Grandhomme smashed an unbeaten half-century from 36 balls, then blocked out several overs to stay unbeaten on 54 at the end of days’ play. Mitchell was not out on 29 in an unbroken partnership of 66 as New Zealand were 157/5 at stumps on Day 2.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 157/5 (Colin de Grandhomme 54, Henry Nicholls 39; Kagiso Rabada 3/37, Marco Jansen 2/48) trail South Africa 364 (Sarel Erwee 108, Aiden Markram 42; Neil Wagner 4/104, Matt Henry 3/90) by 207 runs.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

A day to remember 💚 🇿🇦 #NZvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/j9sXeDdgQv

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) February 26, 2022

Day 2 in the books at Hagley Oval. Another strong day for South Africa. Colin de Grandhomme 54* Daryl Mitchell 29* take the team to the close. Scorecard | https://t.co/KomILy93NC #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/Oxzecz7JAj

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 26, 2022

Total Test wickets by:
Southee in presence of Boult – 255
Southee with Wagner – 214
Boult with Southee – 261
Boult with Wagner – 208
Wagner with Southee – 201
Wagner with Boult – 203

All are 200+.
The Southee-Wagner-Boult becomes the FIRST such trio in Test cricket.#NZvSA

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 26, 2022

This game was going to need the Bowlers to make a play and Kagiso Rabada did just that. Game in South Africa’s control!!! What a difference a week makes #NZvSA

— Mpho Mutloane (@MphoMoreki) February 26, 2022

An all-round performance from Marco Jansen 🏏

A handy knock of 3⃣7⃣* with the bat and 2⃣ crucial wickets. 🧡#OrangeArmy #ReadyToRise #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/W7VrwNLslv

— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 26, 2022

Marco Jansen – 5 Test matches so far

Bowling – 21 wickets @ 19.48
Batting – 109 runs @ 21.8

Taken to Test cricket like a duck to water – special, special kid #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/m3an4xepEi

— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) February 26, 2022

I’m officially a Marco Jansen fan – Love his temperament! He has some dog in him…..massive fight!

— Pierre Joubert (@Jiggs_7) February 26, 2022

If 364 didn't look like a competitive total, the Proteas bowlers & Kagiso Rabada, have served a reminder that judging such a middling total must only be done once both teams have batted…

— Khanyiso Tshwaku (@kaymorizm) February 26, 2022

Allan Donald, Brett Schultz, Fanie de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada – A roll call of great SA fast bowlers since 1992.

Anrich Nortje & Marco Jansen will most likely be the next to join this illustrious list.

— Cricketjeevi (@wildcardgyan) February 26, 2022

Now this the South African team we all needed, which was vs India as well. Top performance today, they have total control of the match.#NZvSA

— Neelabh (@CricNeelabh) February 26, 2022

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February 26, 2022 at 02:19PM