South Africa finished the first day of the second Sunfoil Test against New Zealand well placed on 283/2 after being put into bat by Kane Williamson, with the top four batsmen all going past fifty.
It all started with an excellent opening partnership of 133 between Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock. The pair were thrown together at the top of the order after Dean Elgar was forced out of the match following an ankle injury sustained in a “freak accident” during the team’s training session on Friday.
Elgar’s place in the starting team was taken by Stiaan van Zyl, but despite Van Zyl having opened the batting before, he’s been put down to go in at no.7 here. The decision to open with De Kock proved a very good one as he made an aggressive 82 (166 minutes, 114 balls, 15x4) with Cook happy to dig in at the other end.
It was the first century partnership for South Africa in nearly three years and though there was some good fortune, particularly for De Kock, who was dropped by BJ Watling on 42, their application can’t be faulted.
De Kock was out hooking - his patience letting him down - to the tireless Neil Wagner after making 82, while Cook was well caught in the gully by Williamson for 56 (203m, 143b, 9x4) off Doug Bracewell.
Hashim Amla made a sublime 58, punching some elegant drives, while his upper-cut for six over third man off Tim Southee’s bowling was one of the highlights of the day. Given his form, it came as no surprise that it took a peach of a delivery from Wagner to dismiss him - the ball angling in from Wagner and leaving the batsmen enough off the pitch to find the outside edge. Amla’s 58 was his 31st Test half century and came in 135 minutes, off 91 balls, and included nine fours and that six.
JP Duminy, under pressure for his spot in the side, rode his luck - he was dropped, had one lbw decision not referred and another overturned on review - but was still batting at stumps unbeaten on 67, along with stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis who was on 13.
New Zealand’s bowlers certainly worked hard to back up their captain’s decision at the toss and will feel unlucky that some edges didn’t find fielders. Wagner ended the day with two wickets, while there was also singular success for Bracewell who along with Southee deserved more for his efforts. - Independent Media