Kiwi bowler claims long-standing New Zealand record in Hamilton
Cricket
Will O'Rourke broke a long-standing New Zealand record that has lasted for almost 10 years.
HAMILTON (Web Desk) - The best match figures by a New Zealand bowler on debut was achieved by Will O'Rourke during the second Test against South Africa.
Fast bowler Will O'Rourke broke a long-standing New Zealand record that has lasted for almost 10 years as the second Test against South Africa in Hamilton remained in the balance after three enthralling days.
O'Rourke collected five wickets during the Proteas' second innings to seal match figures of 9/93 and in the process broke the previous record held by Mark Craig (8/188) from June 2014 for the best bowling figures on Test debut by a New Zealand player.
Three of O'Rourke's five scalps came late in South Africa's second innings on a topsy-turvy day at Seddon Park, as David Bedingham's century threatened to take the game away from New Zealand until a late collapse of 6/33 swayed the momentum back towards the hosts.
O'Rourke dismissed Bedingham for an excellent 110 in the middle of the collapse as South Africa were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, with New Zealand requiring 267 for victory.
That victory total could have been much higher if not for O'Rourke's late intervention, with Bedingham and Keegan Petersen (43) looking in control at 102/4 following a 98-run stand that put the Proteas well on top.
But a trio of late wickets from O’Rourke and a handy spell from all-rounder Glenn Phillips (2/50) gave New Zealand the momentum heading into the fourth day on Friday.
