SA in New Zealand
Philander stars for Proteas
2012-03-08 07:45
Dunedin - Debutant wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk
and former captain Daniel Vettori staged a middle order fightback to
help New Zealand establish a slim first innings lead at the close of
play on the second day of the first Test against South Africa on
Thursday.
The South African-born Van Wyk (36) combined with
Vettori (46) in a 53-run partnership and then with bowler Doug Bracewell
(25) for 41 runs as the hosts made 243 for nine in reply to South
Africa's 238 on a sun-drenched University Oval in Dunedin.
New
Zealand, however, squandered an opportunity to build a substantial
advantage when they lost four wickets in the middle session and then two
more in one Vernon Philander over just before the close after South
Africa took the new ball.
Brendon McCullum (48) and captain Ross
Taylor (44) had been subjected to a torrid spell of hostile, controlled
pace bowling with Taylor hit three times by Morne Morkel, but looked
well placed to build a comprehensive partnership before tea.
McCullum, however, top-edged a delivery from leg-spinner Imran Tahir to
be caught and bowled before Taylor fell 10 runs later when was caught by
wicketkeeper Mark Boucher off Morkel.
Kane Williamson had also
started to look comfortable before he feathered a catch to Boucher off
Philander to leave New Zealand floundering at 135-5 and in danger of a
first innings deficit before Vettori and van Wyk buckled down.
The 32-year-old van Wyk, who moved to New Zealand in 2006, was caught
by Graeme Smith in the slips off Philander, who repeated the dismissal
two balls later with Tim Southee falling for a duck before Trent Boult
(eight not out) and Chris Martin (nought) saw the hosts through to the
close.
Philander had figures of 4-50 from 17 overs, while Tahir
impressed with his flight, control and variation to finish the day with
1-55 from 24 overs but could be a factor in the final innings.
The visitors had earlier been bowled out midway through the first
session after Martin had run through their middle order on Wednesday and
he finished with 4-56.
If South Africa sweep the series 3-0, they will take over the world number one Test ranking from England.
Teams:
New Zealand - Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor (captain), Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori, Kruger van Wyk (wk), Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Martin
South Africa - Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim
Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher
(wk), Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir