New Zealand’s Matt Henry puts South Africa to sword with seven for 23 in first Test

Matt Henry claimed a career-best 7-23 as New Zealand bundled out South Africa for 95 in two sessions to take charge of the opening Test in Christchurch. Playing his first Test in eight months because Trent Boult is away on paternity leave, Henry celebrated his return by registering the joint third-best Test figures ever by a New Zealander.

“Great to do it in front of my home fans, friends and family,” Henry said at the innings break. “It’s not always going to go in your favour when you play the odd game here and there. When you woke up and saw the overheads here at Hagley, you’d hope you’re bowling first.”

Henry and his bowling teammates put South Africa to the sword in the opening session after Tom Latham won the toss and elected to field. The visitors were 44 for four by lunch after their top-order had no answer to the relentless New Zealand attack.

Henry and fellow pacemen Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson extracted considerable movement in the air and bounce off the pitch, hitting their line and length repeatedly and earning ample reward for their efforts.

The first four wickets were caught by the wicketkeeper or the slips cordon. Henry drew first blood when he dismissed touring captain Dean Elgar for four and went on to dismiss Aiden Markram (15) and Rassie van der Dussen (eight).

Jamieson chipped in with the wicket of Sarel Erwee (10), while Southee bowled well to claim his only scalp in Temba Bavuma for seven. Zubayr Hamza made 25 and Kyle Verreynne scored 18 but lack of partnerships hurt South Africa. Henry dismissed Kagiso Rabada and Glenton Stuurman off successive deliveries but his wayward hat-trick delivery went for four byes.

Latham is leading the Blackcaps in the absence of Kane Williamson as he recovers from