Cricket news round-up – December 30: South Africa win first Test, Australia win series 2-0

The hosts won first Test against England at Centurion. Australia won the Test series 2-0 as New Zealand called up Will Somerville for the final match at SCG to replace Trent Boult.

South Africa win Centurion Test

Chasing 376 England began the day with 121/1. Rory Burnes was still in the crease and joined by Joe Denly after Dom Sibley’s dismissal. But Burns was soon to leave after scoring a gutsy 84. Denly ( 31) followed him soon as well as the likes of Ben Stokes (14) and Jonny Bairstow (9). Root after scoring 48 runs was gone too and England clearly lacked a partnership in the middle. Jos Buttler (22) hit few lusty blows at the end with not much help from the lower order.

England were all out for 268 runs as South Africa won the match by 107 runs. Kagiso Rabada was outstanding in the second innings (4/103) and was well accompanied by young Anrich Nortje (3/56).

Australia claim series 2-0

Australia were already on the driving seat and started the day with 456 runs ahead of New Zealand. They finally declared the innings on 165/5 which meant the Kiwis had to chase down a mammoth target of 488 runs.

Although it was an almost impossible task, Tom Blundell was not ready to surrender. He kept his fight on from one end whilst his team continued to lose wickets frequently. Out of New Zealand’s total of 240, Blundell alone made 121 off 210. The second highest scorer of the New Zealand innings was Henry Nicholls (33) and Kane Williamson was dismissed for a duck.

Nathan Lyon ended as the most successful Aussie bowler who picked up four wickets as James Pattinson took three. But Marcus Labuschagne took the most crucial wicket when he dismissed Blundell to end the Kiwi chase.

Will Somerville replaces Trent Boult

Will Somerville will replace Trent Boult in the New Zealand squad for the third and final Test against Australia at the SCG. New Zealand had to let Boult go after he sustained a fracture and the 35-year-old spinner got the call up as the SCG pitch favours spin. Somerville is the third spinner in the team along with Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle.

The coach Gary Stead clearly said, “It’s no secret the SCG pitch is one of the more spin-friendly in Australia. Will offers something different to our two other spinners in the squad with his right arm offspin and height. The fact he’s played a lot of cricket in Sydney during his career for New South Wales will also be helpful as we prepare for this final Test.”

New Zealand already lost the series 2-0 and would be trying hard to manage one win in the final Test starting from January 3.