New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test, Day 5 Preview: Both sides will race to win against time

South Africa‘s Dean Elgar and Faf du Plessis, the same batsmen who inspired their side out of a precarious situation in the first innings, again drove their side to a healthy total to ensure a 191-run lead in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand. The situation was similar to the first innings when the skipper joined Elgar on Day Four. As seen in the past three days, New Zealand pacers were again bang-on. But both the South African batters absorbed the initial pressure sewing together a 80-run partnership. Live Cricket Score: New Zealand vs South Africa, 1st Test

South Africa on the fifth morning would be hoping to add another 40-50 runs on the board .They still have their skipper unbeaten on 56 and that will act as a confidence booster. Du Plessis has Vernon Philander at the other end and if in a bid to up the ante, the skipper loses his wicket the visiting side might just get caught in a tricky situation. We have seen South Africa lose plot in the past from strong positions. Hence on Day Five, they will first have to ensure of killing all the possibilities of their defeat and major hopes rests on du Plessis’ shoulders. His bowling unit had a decent first innings. They swung the ball, pitched it in the right areas got the batsmen tricked, but this could not work against Kane Williamson who single-handedly induced life into the hosts’ innings. So du Plessis will also have to regroup Kagiso Rabada, Philander, Morne Morkel and Keshav Maharaj to rework on their plan of action.  Maharaj claimed a five-for in the previous innings and his role will be crucial on the Day Five track.

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In addition this, it is also worth seeing how New Zealand and Williamson approach the last day of this riveting encounter. New Zealand made numerous mistakes today letting go of their grip. The wickets f Elgar, Temba Bavuma (6) and Quinton de Kock (4) came in quick successions, but by then, visitors had already neared 200-run lead. Their bowlers tried to the best of their abilities on Day Four but were let down by some their shabby fielding and poor decision making.

Trent Boult’s injury came as big blow to the hosts in the last session. Hence his absence will hurt New Zealand. This also means Wagner will have to take the extra workload. This is also the time when the hosts will also feel the void of extra pacer, Tim Southee, who was benched for this game, making road for Jeetan Patel who has been good in phases.

Mitchell Santner and Jimmy Neesham have been used comparatively less, but now in Boult’s involvement dicey, these two will have to share the responsibility of winding up South Africa as quickly as they can.

When it comes to batting, Ross Taylor is most probably not going to bat. He did come out to bat in the first innings at No. 10, but the situation is completely different here. So New Zealand are a team of nine fit men. This is going to be a big ask, but for New Zealand to make a strong statement they will have to be at the best of their ability on their home turf.

Keeping in mind all these probabilities, there are chances of rain spoiling the entire day’s play. So basically this game on its final day definitely has many things stored in itself.

Brief scores:

South Africa 308 & 224 for 6 (Dean Elgar 89, Faf du Plessis 56*; Neil Wagner 2 for 57, Jeetan Patel 2 for 72) lead New Zealand 341 (Kane Williamson 130, BJ Watling 50; Keshav Maharaj 5 for 94, Morne Morkel 2 for 62) by 191 runs.