SA in New Zealand
SA seize control of 2nd Test
2012-03-16 07:34
Hamilton - New Zealand's batting woes against
South Africa continued as they slumped to 65 for four at stumps on day
two of the second Test in Hamilton, squandering a fine effort with the
ball.
The Black Caps, bowled out for 185 on the opening day,
looked to have clawed their way back into contention when a five-wicket
haul from Mark Gillespie helped restrict the Proteas' first innings lead
to 68.
But New Zealand made a disastrous start to the second
innings, reduced to seven for three in the first five overs as openers
Rob Nicol (1) and Martin Guptill (1) failed again and Brendon McCullum
went for five.
Skipper Ross Taylor was again called on to launch a
rescue mission managing a 57-run partnership with Kane Williamson
before falling lbw to Dale Steyn for 17 in the second last over of the
day.
Steyn took two for 10 and Vernon Philander two for 21 as New
Zealand ended the day still three runs short of South Africa's first
innings total of 253, facing a mammoth task to get back into the match.
Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 41 for the Black Caps, alongside Daniel Vettori, who was yet to score.
South
Africa started the day at 27 for two and endured a torrid spell from
Gillespie, struggling at 133 for six in the first hour before AB de
Villiers and the lower order steadied the innings.
De Villiers'
gritty 83 and a valuable unbeaten 35-run cameo from Morne Morkel helped
South Africa overhaul New Zealand's total before the tourists were
bowled out for 253 at tea.
Gillespie, recalled into a revamped New
Zealand attack after more than three years in the Test wilderness,
finished the innings with five for 59.
South Africa added 35 to
their overnight total before he dismissed Hashim Amla for 16, the
batsman attempting to guide the ball through backward point but sending a
low catch to Williamson.
He struck again in his next over to claim the prized scalp of Jacques Kallis, who scored a century in the first Test.
Kallis
never looked comfortable against Gillespie and was lucky to top-edge a
short-pitched ball safely over the boundary for six.
He dabbed
tentatively down the leg side two balls later, doing just enough for the
face of the bat to kiss the ball and travel to Kruger van Wyk behind
the stumps.
Gillespie made it three when he trapped Alviro
Petersen (29) lbw with a ball that hit the batsman low in the pads, a
television review umpire upholding the original decision the delivery
was plumb and headed for middle stump.
The collapse continued with
Gillespie's fourth wicket in four overs when Jacques Rudolph, another
century-maker in the first Test, clipped an edge to van Wyk, out for one
after facing only four balls.
New Zealand maintained the pressure
with some tight bowling after lunch and were rewarded when Gillespie
took his fifth with a full, straight ball that slipped through the guard
of Mark Boucher (24) and into the stumps.
De Villiers, South
Africa's last recognised batsman, brought up his 28th Test 50 and worked
well with the tail-enders, notching up a 34-run partnership with Vernon
Philander (14).
He was unlucky to be dismissed on 83, blocking a fizzing Vettori delivery that bounced back from the pitch and into the stumps
A free-hitting Morkel kept the scoreboard ticking, notching five fours and one six before New Zealand wrapped up the innings.