Henry removed De Bruyn and Duminy

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand seamers Matt Henry and Colin de Grandhomme took out South Africa’s top order, but their hopes of inflicting further damage on the Proteas did not come to fruition due to heavy rain.

Opting to bat first, South Africa got off to a dismal start as debutant Theunis de Bruyn, who replaced fellow opener Stephen Cook, was dismissed by Henry for a three-ball duck.

In the next over, Dean Elgar was on his way back to the pavilion after being clean bowled by De Grandhomme.

Hashim Amla and JP Duminy stabilised the innings with a 59-run partnership before Duminy, who scored 20, became Henry’s second victim.

Shortly after Duminy’s dismissal, the rain came and an early lunch was taken. However, less than an hour later, the players were back out on the field and the match resumed.

Amla went on to make 50 off 93 balls, which included nine boundaries, before he was cleaned up by De Grandhomme.

Amla scored his 32nd Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Not long after Amla’s departure, the heavens parted once again and this time, the rain lasted much longer. Even though it ceased, the outfield was deemed too wet to play on and the umpires ultimately had no choice but to bring play to an end for the day.

As a result of the interruptions, only 41 overs of play was possible.

Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma managed to put together an unbeaten 26-run partnership before the weather had the final say.

Du Plessis finished on 33 off 54 balls, which included seven boundaries, while Bavuma remained undefeated on 13 off 23 deliveries, which included one boundary.

Henry and De Grandhomme picked up two wickets apiece.

South Africa ended day one on 123/4 and will continue batting on Sunday at 10:30 local time or 21:30 GMT (the previous day).