Brand ‘deflated’ by defeat but eager for second test

South Africa’s captain, Neil Brand, described his team’s defeat by 281 runs in the first Tegel test at Mount Maungenui as “very deflating”.

“We gave them chances and who knows what could have been. Our patience was tested on this wicket; the guys got in and then got themselves out. It’s back to the drawing board now and hopefully we can do better in the next test (starting in Hamilton on February 13).”

Referring to the loss of wickets in clusters, Brand said: “It’s obviously disappointing to lose wickets after breaks in play (two at the beginning of the innings, two shortly after lunch and two shortly after tea). But we’re raring to get back for the second test.”

Brand was delighted with his six-wicket haul in the New Zealand first innings. “It was a massive honour for me to get the six wickets but my currency is runs, so disappointed not to contribute there.”

New Zealand captain Tim Southee praised the Bay Oval pitch, saying it was a “pretty good surface for the batters to set it up for the bowlers to take 20 wickets.

“The guys had great preparation three days before the test. We knew they were going to come out fighting. When you come to the Mount you expect something different and some spin later on rather than early. It was pleasing to see Santner come back to his rhythm, and Ravindra and Phillips contribute too. We got better as the test went on, we were better in the second innings. We enjoyed this one, we have a few days before the next and we haven't played at that ground (Hamilton) for a while.”

Player of the match Rachin Ravindra (who struck 240, his maiden test century), said it “felt good, in any capacity, to contribute to a team victory. I’ll rate this knock pretty high because of the time I spent out there with Kane (Williamson) and our big partnership.”

South Africa’s David Bedingham, who struck his team’s only half-century (87) said: “I’m quite upset I didn’t score a hundred. We practised that kind of tactic (against the short balls) because the Kiwis do that quite a bit. The first over Matt Henry bowled I was blocking and I thought one might pop and I could get caught so I thought it was better to go after it.

“From a batting point of view we can all take a lot out of Kane’s innings. We don’t bat like him but if we can take 10 per cent from his example we’ll all be better players.”