Following Rachin Ravindra’s first double century, South Africa 80/4 aids New Zealand reach 511

Prior to South Africa’s top order collapsing on Monday, Rachin Ravindra produced an outstanding double century, giving New Zealand control of the first Test match at Mount Maunganui.

The host team was dismissed for 511 thanks to a career-best 240 from Ravindra, but the visitors’ inexperience was shown when they were reduced to 80/4 at stumps on day two.

Six players who have never played in an international cricket match make up the Proteas squad, which will continue on Tuesday at Bay Oval with a 431-run deficit after four wickets fell in the last 14 overs.

Matt Henry had an opportunity to remove David Bedingham in the outfield; he held it, and Kyle Jamieson took 2-21.

Rather, at stumps, Bedingham was undefeated on 29 and Keegan Petersen on two.

The majority of South Africa’s first-choice players have committed to play in the local Twenty20 competition, leaving the two players as the sole members of the tour team who participated in the drawn home Test series against India a month ago.

Jamieson’s first victim was captain and opener Neil Brand, who was caught behind for four. Later in the over, fellow rookie Raynard van Tonder was out, having been trapped leg before wicket for a two-ball duck.

Before Zubayr Hamza (22) played on a ball from spinner Mitchell Santner, Edward Moore (23) puffed a Henry bouncer to a near fielder.

Earlier, in an attempt to get rapid runs, New Zealand’s last five wickets fell for 38 runs.

Among them was Ravindra, who, after scoring only eighteen runs in his six prior Test innings, made a stunning comeback in the longest format with a knock of 366 balls.

Starting the day at 118, the left-hander hit 26 fours and one six, displaying a stroke-making ability that was reminiscent of his prodigious performance in the 50-over World Cup in India the previous year.

In an attempt to pull left-arm spinner Brand, who went on to earn figures of 6-119, the 24-year-old was bowled.

On his Test debut, Brand became the first spinner from South Africa to capture six wickets, and his numbers rank fourth among all Proteas captains.

The most impressive wicket he took was when he brilliantly caught and bowled Daryl Mitchell for 34, breaking their 103-run fourth-wicket stand with Ravindra.

That came after a 232-run stand between Kane Williamson and Ravindra. Williamson was caught on 118 while attempting to smash a huge hit from Ruan de Swardt.