Proteas in complete control on day one

Top four batsmen cross 50-run mark as South Africa end day 283-3 against New Zealand

CENTURION: South Africa’s top four batsmen all made half-centuries as New Zealand’s decision to bowl first failed to pay off on the first day of the series-deciding second Test at SuperSport Park yesterday.

South Africa were 283-3 at the end of a day when New Zealand were on the wrong end of no fewer than five leg before wicket decisions, while seam bowler Doug Bracewell limped off late in the day with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Stephen Cook (56) and Quinton de Kock (82) gave South Africa a strong start with an opening partnership of 133. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy followed up with innings of 58 and 67 not out respectively.



The brightest batting came in the morning when Cook and De Kock took South Africa to 100 for no wicket.

De Kock made 82 off 114 balls, hitting 15 boundaries, before hooking Neil Wagner to Boult on the fine leg boundary, while Cook made a patient 56 off 143 deliveries before falling to a low catch by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson at gully off Bracewell.



Amla survived a shaky start to again show a liking for New Zealand bowlers, taking his Test aggregate against the Black Caps to exactly 1000 runs in 11 matches at an average of 76.92, while he continued to score heavily at Centurion, where he has made 1201 runs in 11 matches at an average of 85.78.

Amla eventually fell to a good delivery from the left-armed Wagner, who switched to bowling around the wicket and produced a ball which swung in and then straightened to have Amla caught behind.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2016.

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