New Zealand Under-19s romp to innings win in three days

New Zealand made an emphatic start to the Youth Test series with South Africa today when wrapping up the First Test by an innings and 67 runs in Alexandra.

South Africa was all out for 183 after Wellington left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock took 3/29 from his 25 overs while medium-pacer Andrew Ellis bowled 11 overs into the wind to take 2/6 as the South African resistance was broken.

When play started 45 minutes late at Alexandra there seemed a good chance that this contest would go into the fourth and final day.

But although there were at least two light showers, the weather didn't halt New Zealand's progress.

South Africa started the day at 72/2 and desperately needed two of their batsmen to score big but it was not to be as a steady procession of them made their way pavilionward, most playing shots far too early in their innings.

Only Hashim Amla 69 and Warren Hauptfleish 37 showed much in the way of resilience.

The pitch was very good for batting as the New Zealanders had proven with their 400.

Brendon McCullum's 123 was instrumental in getting New Zealand to their match winning total of 400; he also kept wickets well and captained his side with competence. New Zealand fielded better than South Africa and this also was a telling factor.

But perhaps foreign conditions, as well as steady New Zealand bowling, proved the downfall of the visitors.

New Zealand manager Dayle Hadlee said he was surprised New Zealand were able to win som emphatically in the first match of the series.

"We expected more of a feeling out Test where both teams would be gauging the strengths and weaknesses of each other.

"I think South Africa under-achieved a little. Steven Cook, the son of former international Jimmy Cook, looked a very promising player. In fact, their top four batsmen look as though they can play pretty well.

"They missed their two best bowlers who are out with injury. Johan Botha broke a bone in his foot playing Otago and he will be out for all the games," he said.

Hadlee said New Zealand's batting was helped by Brendon McCullum's brisk scoring rate while the running between the wickets was very good..

"It was a good toss to lose. We were erring towards bowling first but when South Africa won the toss we were quite happy they chose to bat first."

He said the pace bowlers Taraia Robin and Ian Butler bowled well in the first innings while in the second Luke Woodcock and the unsung hero of the day Andrew Ellis did the damage.

"Andrew kept it very tight for us and bowled well into the wind," he said.

South Africa could well be a force in the one-day series to come but with New Zealand one up in the three match Test series they will have to battle very hard to achieve success in the remaining two 'tests'.

The South African team have proved very good ambassadors for their country in Otago and cricket people who have met them are sorry to see them go - it is certain that some of them will be South African representatives of the future as indeed will be some of the New Zealanders.