Centurion – South Africa crawled along through the morning session on the second day of the second Sunfoil Test against New Zealand, still in control of the match, but not asserting themselves in the manner they’d perhaps want.
The home side went to lunch at SuperSport Park on Sunday on 358/5 with stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis not out on 57 and Stiaan van Zyl, a late replacement in the starting team for Dean Elgar, on nought.
Of the two teams it will be New Zealand who will be happiest with their morning’s work. The Black Caps’ fast bowlers stuck very well to their task with Trent Boult and Tim Southee particularly dangerous early on.
South Africa resumed on 283/3 with JP Duminy on 67 and Du Plessis on 13, but both were put through a severe examination in the first hour, with Boult in particular swinging the ball with terrific accuracy. The left-arm bowler was extremely unlucky with the very first ball of the day, which left Du Plessis all at sea as it slanted in nastily towards him and just missed the outside edge and the off-stump.
Boult was well supported by Southee bowling from the West Lane End, who continued to find assistance off a pitch that is well grassed. South Africa’s runs came mainly off thick edges through the slip region and there were very few authoritative shots.
It was in seeking to dominate the New Zealanders that Duminy, who’d fought hard throughout his innings, eventually fell, when he bottom edged a pull with BJ Watling holding a comfortable chance behind. The anguish on Duminy’s face was indicative of a batsman who knew he’d given away a chance of a Test hundred, especially after putting in the hard yards over the course of a nearly four hour stay at the crease in which he made 88 runs, hitting 13 boundaries.
Nevertheless, given his spot in the starting team was under pressure ahead of this Test, he’ll be pleased with such a contribution.
Temba Bavuma never got going properly and like Quinton de Kock on Saturday, succumbed to the hook shot against the tireless Neil Wagner, with Doug Bracewell taking a fine catch diving forward running in off the fine leg boundary. Bavuma scored just eight runs in a 52-minute stay at the crease.
Du Plessis registered a ninth Test half-century, but it was hardly a knock to get people off their seats. He has scratched around for most of his innings, survived a chance on 18 when Henry Nicholls failed to hold onto a difficult chance running around the midwicket boundary.
At least he’s still there but South Africa, who scored just 72 runs in 27 overs in the first session, will hope he can up the tempo after lunch.
For New Zealand, Wagner has picked up three wickets, while there’s been one each for Bracewell and Southee.