Published: Mar 25, 2017, 05:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 25, 2017, 05:49 PM (IST)
Although the prospect of an exciting third and final Test between New Zealand and South Africa was dampened by rain, the sessions that took place were enthralling on Day One. There was DRS drama, ‘brain-fades’ but ultimately a day that belonged to New Zealand bowlers. Despite winning the toss for the eighth time in a row, South Africa’s batsmen continued to struggle against the New Zealand bowlers. But South Africa had something to cheer as Hashim Amla added stability to the innings with his much-needed fifty and took his side beyond the 100-run mark. Although Faf du Plessis, Temba Bavuma are playing on 33 and 6 respectively, a lot of onus will be on them and others to follow to build a healthy lead. Full Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, 3rd Test at Hamilton
New Zealand’s perspective: They might have lost the toss, but Kane Williamson will be proud of his bowlers who were on their money picking the openers and breaking the growing partnership between Amla and Duminy. But a rather unfortunate Neil Wagner will look to revive his fortunes on Day Two to get some luck with wickets and DRS in particular. Losing both the reviews for not-out decisions and finding no support for the right lbw appeals, surely it must be frustrating for the New Zealand skipper as well as Wagner.
On the DRS decisions, Matt Henry said in the post-day conference, “We did well to get them four down. We didn’t get (the reviews) right. It can be frustrating but we get another chance later on.”
But the positives for New Zealand will be that despite the absence of their ace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme have stepped up and exploited the conditions to New Zealand’s favour. However, with the conditions also favouring spinners, Jeetan Patel would be expected to fire-up and get some wickets under his belt. NZ vs SA, 3rd Test, Day 1: Amla-Duminy’s repair job, DRS drama and other highlights
The concern comes over Mitchell Santner who was seen walking back to the field holding his shoulder after protecting a boundary towards the cover. If New Zealand manage to reduce South Africa to a lower total despite the rain playing hide and seek, an exciting clash can be expected.
South African perspective: Entering a Test with lead of 1-0, winning toss and losing 4 wickets within two sessions can be frustrating. A rather confident Faf du Plessis who opted to bat said during the toss, “There’s spinning conditions here in Hamilton, even though it looks a tinge green and the first hour will be a little tricky. A draw will not sit very well with us. We’re one up in the series and we want to win another series.”
However, bringing Theunis de Bruyn up the order along with Dean Elgar cost their first wicket. It was followed by the successive wicket of Elgar, thereby losing their openers. Although Duminy and Amla helped South Africa rise from the precarious situation, their fall of wickets zeroed down the responsibility on Bavuma and du Plessis.
In the second Test, Quinton de Kock and Bavuma’s heroics helped their side to go past the 200-run mark when the chips were down. Rain comes to rescue SA as play gets abandoned after tea on Day 1, 3rd Test
An injured de Kock, all-rounder Vernon Philander and Keshav Maharaj are yet to come out to bat. But if Bavuma and du Plessis manage to combat the New Zealand bowlers, the game can very much lie under South Africa’s hands.
As Amla put it through in the post-day conference, “We’ve got a long way to go to get a good total. There is so much time left. We want to bat as long as we can in the first innings to get a really big score on the board to set the game up.”
Weather conditions: Amidst all this, rain might continue to haunt on all five days, especially with Day Two being under tremendous threat.
Brief scores:
South Africa 123 for 4 (Hashim Amla 50, Faf du Plessis 33*; Matt Henry 2 for 25, Colin de Grandhomme 2 for 43) vs New Zealand
