By CricketCountry Staff
Bowlers put South Africa in control as New Zealand stumbled to 65 for four at stumps on day two of the second Test in Hamilton, squandering a fine effort with the ball.
Published: Mar 17, 2012, 12:41 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 17, 2012, 12:41 AM (IST)
Dale Steyn (C) roars after dismissing Kane Williamson on the second day of Hamilton Test © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Hamilton: Mar 17, 2012
Bowlers put South Africa in control as New Zealand stumbled to 65 for four at stumps on day two of the second Test in Hamilton, squandering a fine effort with the ball.
The Black Caps, bowled out for 185 on the opening day, looked to have clawed their way back into contention when a five-wicket haul from Mark Gillespie helped restrict the Proteas’ first innings lead to 68.
But New Zealand made a disastrous start to the second innings, reduced to seven for three in the first five overs as openers Rob Nicol (1) and Martin Guptill (1) failed again and Brendon McCullum went for five.
Skipper Ross Taylor was again called on to launch a rescue mission managing a 57-run partnership with Kane Williamson before falling lbw to Dale Steyn for 17 in the second last over of the day.
Steyn took two for 10 and Vernon Philander two for 21 as New Zealand ended the day still three runs short of South Africa’s first innings total of 253, facing a mammoth task to get back into the match.
Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 41 for the Black Caps, alongside Daniel Vettori, who was yet to score.
South Africa started the day at 27 for two and endured a torrid spell from Gillespie, struggling at 133 for six in the first hour before AB de Villiers and the lower order steadied the innings.
De Villiers’ gritty 83 and a valuable unbeaten 35-run cameo from Morne Morkel helped South Africa overhaul New Zealand’s total before the tourists were bowled out for 253 at tea.
Brief Score: New Zealand 185 & 65 for 4 (Kane Williamson 41, Ross Taylor 17; Vernon Philander 2 for 21, Dale Steyn 2 for 10) trail South Africa 253 all-out (Ab de Villiers 83, Morne Morkel 35; Mark Gillespie 5 for 59) by 3 runs
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