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NZ: 38/3 |South Africa vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 2 Live Updates| Stumps

South Africa ended Day One of the second Test on a high note with the score reading 283 for the loss of 3 wickets.

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live updates of South Africa vs New Zealand 2016. Here you will get all the live cricket updates of Day Two’s play of the second Test of the two-Test series. The match is being played at SuperSportPark, Centurion. The contest was neck to neck as both South Africa and New Zealand have different motives and agenda to play for but the end result as the first Test at Durban was a rain tormented washout. South Africa would have lot to cherish as they were the dominant side at the end of day one’s play with half centuries from top 4 batsmen. A rather unlucky day for the Black Caps was made most of by South Africa’s batsmen. Let’s see what Day Two brings for us. Stay tuned. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs New Zealand, 2nd Test at Centurion

South Africa’s top four batsmen made half-centuries as New Zealand’s decision to field first after winning the toss failed to work in their favour on the first day of the second and final Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday (August 27). The first Test in Durban, in which only four sessions of play was possible because of rain and a poor outfield, ended in a draw. South Africa ended the day, on which 88 overs were bowled, at 283 for 3, with New Zealand set further back when Doug Bracewell limped off late in the day with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The decision to bowl first by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson looked right initially as his fast bowling attack looked bang on target in the first few over. Quinton de Kock who was promoted in the batting order as a opener along with Stephen Cook had lot to worry about as New Zealand pacers Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult asked serious questions to the opening pair. But irrespective of this, both Cook and de Kock made sure that they hit loose balls and respected good deliveries.

For most of the first session, runs came in for the South Africa in boundaries and the openers also made sure that they kept the score board tickling. South Africa scored at almost 4RPO in the first session as they walked back into the dressing room with head held high thanks to an attacking half-century from de Kock. De Kock had 11 boundaries in his half century which is quite evident of how attacking he had been on the New Zealand bowling in the first session.

Things looked very strong for hosts as they kept on scoring runs at ease as both openers looked very much in comfort zone. Amidst all this, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner struck in quick successions as both openers departed one after the other with de Kock being the first. This came in as a complete shock and against the run of play. With both openers back in the dressing room, it looked like the hosts had got into a tight spot. But next two batsmen Hashim Amla and J P Duminy handled the pressure very well.

Both these brought into their experience together as they continued to build a good partnership again lifting the fallen momentum from the South African innings. Amla looked as he had not got out of his first innings knock as he also went onto score his half-century. Amla survived a shaky start before looking settled, and eventually fell to Wagner, who bowled one, which swung in and then straightened, to have Amla caught behind. Both Amla and Duminy went onto make a 95 runs stand for the third wicket before Amla fell for 58.

But that was the last time Duminy was seen struggling because eventually he looked comfortable and played some delightful strokes for an unbeaten 67. This is his first Test half-century in two years. Captain Faf du Plessis had to play a safe game as he just had to stay around with Duminy who looked at ease throughout his unbeaten knock.

It wasn’t that easy to bat on with the New Zealand quicks maintaining disciplined line and length. Both batsmen survived, with a few edges falling short or over the fielders and weathered it and went to lunch without losing a wicket. de Kock played aggressively in his knock of 82 before perishing to a short ball from Wagner. Stephen Cook looked solid in his stay before falling victim to Bracewell.

Nothing much went the visitors way as their bowling looked bleak throughout the day. Initially there were some good signs swing for pacers but that was it. New Zealand bowlers only had those moments to cherish

Wagner was the most impressive of the New Zealand bowlers, showing enterprise as he bowled 22 overs, taking 2 for 51. Bracewell limped off two balls into the penultimate over of the day after clutching his hamstring.

New Zealand bowlers toiled hard throughout the day but success just did not turn their way. When it wasn’t denying Bracewell, who found several edges none of which went to hand, it was duping the umpires. Twice, Ian Gould turned down appeals for lbw – against Stephen Cook off Neil Wagner and against Duminy off Trent Boult- and twice, Kane Williamson did not review. In both instances, a review would have overturned the not-out decision. On the two occasions Gould raised his finger, to dismiss Hashim Amla off Boult and Duminy off Bracewell, the decisions were overturned on review.

FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs New Zealand, 2nd Test at Centurion

South Africa playing XI – Stephen Cook, Quinton de Kock (wk), Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada

New Zealand playing XI – Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

 

 

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