Dreams became a reality for Ed Moore as he made his debut for South Africa this week.

Moore - who has captained Minster 1sts for the last three years - opened the batting for his country in their Test match against New Zealand, with mixed fortunes.

With South Africa’s domestic T20 tournament taking priority, the Proteas men’s team included a host of debutants.

Minster saluted the opener, with a message to him on social media saying that they were watching “with an enormous sense of pride as you make your debut for your beloved South Africa, a childhood dream come true”.

Moore, speaking to Kent Online before the Test match, felt his chance to play for his country might have passed before getting a shock call.

He let the first ball he faced in Test cricket, from New Zealand captain Tim Southee, pass harmlessly outside his off stump, before cutting the next two deliveries both to the square cover boundary. A pull off Southee for four followed as Moore looked accomplished against a strong pace attack, flicking Kyle Jamieson off his legs for another boundary.

But the pace of former Kent bowler Matt Henry proved his undoing, a short-pitch ball was ballooned up to Devon Conway, who raced in from cover to take the catch. Moore made 23 in 50 balls.

New Zealand were always expected to win the contest - and piled on the runs in their first innings, finishing 511 all out. South Africa replied with 162 and the Black Caps ended day three declaring on 179-4 - with a lead of 528 runs.

Moore’s second stint at the crease ended with an eight-ball duck as Henry got him again, lofting a shot straight to cover.

South Africa were all out for 247 second time around with New Zealand winning by 281 runs. Moore will be hoping to feature again when the second Test begins on Monday.