New Zealand struck twice at the end of the opening day
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
New Zealand dismissed South African openers Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar in the space of six balls to keep themselves in contention at the end of an entertaining first day in Wellington.
Opting to bowl first, South Africa’s pace duo of Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada sliced through New Zealand’s top order, removing Tom Latham, captain Kane Williamson and debutant Neil Broom for eight, two and a duck respectively.
Jeet Raval and Henry Nicholls stemmed the flow of wickets with a 52-run partnership before Raval was dismissed by Keshav Maharaj for 36.
Even though James Neesham fell soon after, Nicholls and wicketkeeper BJ Watling steadied the innings with a 116-run stand, during which Nicholls surpassed his hundred.
With the Black Caps clawing their way back into the game, Proteas all-rounder JP Duminy unleashed a lethal spell of bowling that resulted in him picking up four wickets, starting with the all-important scalp of Nicholls, who made a career-best 118 off 161 balls, which included 15 boundaries.
Nicholls celebrates after scoring his maiden Test century
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Duminy also got rid of Colin de Grandhomme and Watling, while Morkel took out Tim Southee, who made a quickfire 27. Duminy then returned to trap Neil Wagner lbw as New Zealand were bowled out for 268.
Duminy was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Rabada, Morkel and Maharaj snapped up two wickets apiece.
Duminy finished with career-best figures of 4-47 off 11.3 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Trailing by 268 runs, South Africa found themselves in a load of trouble right from the get-go as Southee provided an early breakthrough with the wicket of Cook in the fifth over. In the very next over, De Grandhomme sent Elgar packing for just nine runs.
Hashim Amla and Rabada, who was sent out as the nightwatchman, ensured South Africa didn’t lose any more wickets as they put together an unbeaten 12-run partnership before stumps was called.
Rabada finished on eight off eight balls, which included two boundaries, while Amla has yet to get off the mark.
Southee and De Grandhomme claimed one wicket each.
South Africa ended day one on 24/2 and will continue batting on Friday at 11:00 local time or 22:00 GMT (the previous day).