New Zealand are closing in on victory heading into the final day
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
An incredible all-round bowling performance by New Zealand put them on track for a series-levelling win over South Africa on the fourth day of the third Test in Hamilton.
Starting off the day on 321/4, captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner converted their 28-run partnership into an 88-run stand before Williamson was dismissed by Morne Morkel for 176, which came off 285 balls and included 16 boundaries and three sixes.
Santner fell shortly after for 41, but just as the Black Caps were recovering from the double blow, wicketkeeper BJ Watling was clean bowled by Keshav Maharaj for 24.
Not long after, Maharaj got his second wicket as he removed Matt Henry for 12, while Jeetan Patel was caught behind off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada for five runs.
New Zealand were ultimately bowled out for 489, which gave them a 175-run lead, when Colin de Grandhomme was caught behind off the bowling of Morkel for a career-best 57, which came off 70 balls and included five boundaries and two sixes.
De Grandhomme scored his maiden Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Morkel and Rabada picked up four wickets apiece, while Maharaj snapped up two.
Trailing by 175 runs, South Africa got off to a dismal start as opening batsman Dean Elgar was caught behind off the bowling of De Grandhomme for five runs.
Debutant Theunis de Bruyn, who was Elgar’s opening partner, failed to have an impact either as he was run out by Williamson for 12 runs.
Things went from bad to worse for the Proteas as Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma were all dismissed in quick succession.
With South Africa in dire straits at 59/5, captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock put together an unbeaten 21-run partnership before stumps was called.
Du Plessis finished on 15 off 51 balls, which included three boundaries, while De Kock struck one boundary during his unbeaten knock of 15, which came off 39 deliveries.
Patel was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Henry and De Grandhomme claimed one wicket each.
South Africa ended day four on 80/5 and will continue batting on Wednesday at 10:30 local time or 21:30 GMT (the previous day).