Black Caps remove Cook, De Kock

Stephen Cook. Photo by: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Stephen Cook. Photo by: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Aug 27, 2016

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New Zealand struck two vital blows in the afternoon session but South Africa retained overall control going into tea at 182/2 on the first day of the second Sunfoil Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The tourists were unlucky not to have picked up at least one wicket in the first session after winning the toss and choosing to field first. There was a healthy covering of grass on the surface which gave some assistance for the seamers, but for the most part, it has looked a good pitch on which to bat.

South Africa had reached lunch on 100 without loss as the hastily assembled opening combination of Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock provided the Proteas with a rock solid foundation.

Both were dismissed in the afternoon though with New Zealand’s bowlers applying an aggressive short ball tactic to De Kock, while Cook was undone by a combination of Kane Williamson in the gully and Doug Bracewell, who’s bowled well through the first two sessions.

It was initially Tim Southee who decided to ‘bomb’ De Kock, after the lunch break. The left hander was elevated up the order in place of Dean Elgar who is missing this Test due to an ankle injury picked up in training on Friday. Stiaan van Zyl has been given his first start since facing England at the Wanderers in January, and will bat at no.7

Cook and De Kock put on 133 for the first wicket, with De Kock typically aggressive in compiling 82 off 114 balls, and striking 15 fours. However first through Southee and then Neil Wagner, the Black Caps tested his courage and patience against the short ball and it was the latter virtue which let De Kock down.

New Zealand had given him a chance earlier, when he was dropped on 42 by wicket-keeper BJ Watling, but they made no mistake with the second offering from the left-hander when a well timed hook saw the ball fly straight to Trent Boult on the fine leg boundary. A delighted Wagner screamed his delight having given the batsman a working over throughout the over.

Seven overs later Cook fell to Bracewell, edging a drive to Williamson in the gully, who did well to hold onto a low chance, which had to be referred by the third umpire to see if the ball bounced in front of the fielder. Cook’s innings of 56 was characteristically gritty from the opener. It lasted 203 minutes in which faced 143 balls and hit nine fours.

Unlike KIngsmead last week, where the match was called off due to a wet outfield caused by a day of rain, SuperSport Park was bathed in sunshine. The forecast for the remainder of the Test is for similar weather. - Independent Media

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