Live Cricket Score, New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd Test, Day 1: Rain leads to early Stumps

Hello, good morning and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates of the first day’s play from the third Test between New Zealand and South Africa.

Hello, good morning and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and updates of the first day’s play from the third and final Test between New Zealand and South Africa. After a drawn first Test, Proteas prevailed in the second encounter to take an unassailable lead in the series. This will be New Zealand’s litmus test to brush aside their flaws and level the three-match series at Hamilton, which will also play host for one last time in what has been a successful one-and-a-half month tour for Faf du Plessis’ side. Full Cricket Scorecard, New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd Test at Hamilton

In the second Test, New Zealand made 268 in the first innings. Henry Nicholls’ maiden ton stood in front of JP Duminy’s 4-for. However, Kiwis could not restrict the South African innings below the 250-run mark courtesy Temba Bavuma-Quinton de Kock’s heroics. The duo struck a magnificent 160-run stand for the seventh wicket with both the batsmen scoring run at will. Their respective fifties changed the complexion of the match, as Proteas walked away with a crucial 91-run lead. Nonetheless, Keshav Maharaj’s 6-for, in the second essay, sealed the deal for a dramatic South African victory, as New Zealand folded for 171.

Needing 81 for victory, du Plessis’ side earned an 8-wicket win to go 1-0 up in the series. However, there are quite a few injury concerns for both camps before the series-decider. Tim Southee has been ruled out due to hamstring injury, which may accommodate a place for Trent Boult.

On the other hand, de Kock injured his right index and will undergo subsequent scans before a final call is taken on him. Both camps will come hard at each other, especially the hosts with the series at stake at Hamilton.

Teams:

South Africa: Stephen Cook, Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Jean-Paul Duminy, Duanne Olivier, Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Theunis de Bruyn, Dane Piedt

New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Neil Broom, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, James Neesham, Jeetan Patel

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