Erwee strikes maiden test ton to boost bold Proteas

A superb maiden test century from Sarel Erwee helped South Africa to a promising 238 for three at the end of the first day of the second test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday.

Erwee, playing in only his second test, featured in partnerships of 111 with his captain, Dean Elgar (41), and 88 with Aiden Markram (42) before he and Markram fell in the space of three balls – with both edging expansive drives – shortly before the second new ball was taken.

Temba Bavuma, who initially struck some fluent shots through the covers, and Rassie van der Dussen enjoyed some luck outside the off-stump and Van der Dussen was dropped on seven by Will Young at square leg off Matt Henry. They also both survived close lbw shouts off the ever-dangerous Tim Southee, but stayed alive to the close with Bavuma on 22 and his partner on 13.

Asked whether he was taken by surprise by Elgar’s decision, Erwee said: “I wasn’t expecting that at all when Dean came up to me this morning. You get used to it, when these decisions come so quickly. It’s part of being an opener … whatever comes your way you’ve got to throw a punch.”

In the first test, the Proteas were dismissed for 95 and 111 as they plunged to an innings defeat on a greentop.

Erwee said he didn’t change much from his approach to the first test. “It was really a case of grooving what worked in the previous match and trying to stick to that for as long as possible. Happily it worked out.”

Erwee shared two major partnerships (111 and 88) with Elgar and Aiden Markram. How did he approach them? “I get on very well with both guys. There was some friendly chat but mainly it was staying serious, ball for ball, and focusing on those things as the sessions went on.”

His feelings about his maiden test century? “It means quite a bit to me, but it means more to my team and my family back home. It’s nice to be in this position but there’s still lots of work to do.”

Earlier, Elgar made the surprising and bold decision to bat first after winning the toss on a ground where the Proteas had been dismissed for 95 and 111 the previous week. He said that he wanted his team to “front up” and take the initiative, while he also noted that the pitch was browner and less fresh than the track for the first test which South Africa lost by an innings and 276 runs.

The risks were obvious, but South Africa certainly did front up. New Zealand’s attack, with Southee particularly impressive in his opening seven-over spell, conceding only 12 runs, was disciplined if not quite as pinpoint as last week, but the difference in the South African approach was marked. Deliveries were left much more often on line and length and the shot selection was more conservative, particularly in the first hour during which the openers carefully compiled 32 in 15 overs.

Southee and Kyle Jamieson did swing the ball, but the pitch was a little slow and less spicy than in the first test and the South African openers were only occasionally beaten as they reached 80 without being too troubled at lunch.

This was only the second time in 10 tests at this ground that the team batting first has reached lunch without losing a wicket. Elgar and Erwee’s partnership was also the first time in 16 innings that South Africa reached the half-century mark.

When this was extended to 111 in 219 balls shortly after lunch it was the Proteas’ first century opening partnership away from home since Graeme Smith and Alviro Peterson added 138 for the first wicket against Australia in the second test at Adelaide in November 2012.

Then, in the seventh over after the break, Southee got one to swing in to Elgar who was squared up as he played inside the line with the ball knocking back his off-stump. Elgar departed looking surprised at his demise, but he had done a sterling job for his team, scoring 41 in 101 balls and helping the Proteas get off to a sound start.

Erwee was joined by the out-of-form Markram who was under severe pressure to score runs after scoring less than 100 runs in his last 10 innings. The two men had to battle for their runs with Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme bowling five consecutive maidens at one stage as Erwee approached his century. Having gone to his 50 in the last over before lunch, Erwee then reached three figures in the final over before tea with a pull for four off Wagner. The Durban-based left-hander could not conceal his delight as he was hugged by Markram and applauded by his teammates.

The two men had taken their partnership to 88 in the final session before they departed within three balls of each other with Markram edging a drive off Neil Wagner to Daryl Mitchell at first slip while Erwee – having struck many of his 14 fours through the covers – edged another drive to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off Henry. He had played an innings of immense authority that spanned 221 balls and lasted just under five hours.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham (capt), Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry

SOUTH AFRICA: Dean Elgar (capt), Sarel Erwee, Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Lutho Sipamla