Proteas batting crumbles, dropped catches complete woeful day in 1st NZ Test

They lost the toss and were asked to bat first on a wicket that always had something in it for the seamers, but few would have expected the calamity that followed for the Proteas in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Thursday. 

The visitors were bowled all out for a paltry 95 - their lowest ever Test total against New Zealand - and they now face a massive uphill task if they are to salvage the first of two fixtures in this series. 

Matt Henry (7/23) delivered a fast bowling masterclass, while Zubayr Hamza top-scored for South Africa with 25. 

At stumps on day one, New Zealand had battled their way to 116/3 in tough conditions, leaving themselves 21 runs ahead as the Proteas dropped No 4 Henry Nicholls (37) on two separate occassions. 

Nightwatchman Neil Wagner (2*) was the other batter at the crease. 

SCOREBOARD | New Zealand v Proteas - 1st Test

There were surprises in team selection for the Proteas, where Sarel Erwee and Glenton Stuurman made their Test debuts and Hamza returned. 

Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of the match with a back strain, while Keshav Maharaj was not picked as the Proteas backed seven batters and four seamers. 

With Kyle Verreynne down at No 7, South Africa were looking for depth in their batting stocks, but it didn't help as Henry ripped through the line-up. 

While most dismissals were the result of superb bowling and the wicket aiding anything landing in the right area, skipper Dean Elgar (1), vice-captain Temba Bavuma (7) and Hamza would not have been pleased with the shots they played to get out. 

Erwee made 10 in his first Test knock before he was out at first slip to a wonderfully angled delivery from Kyle Jamieson, and by lunch the Proteas were 44/4 and in heaps of trouble. 

Aiden