New Zealand fought their way back into the Test match with four wickets for 60 runs in 27 overs on the second morning
Lunch South Africa 298 for 7 (Jansen 11*, Rabada 2*, Wagner 3-59, Henry 3-80) vs New Zealand
New Zealand fought their way back into the Test match with four wickets for 60 runs in 27 overs on the second morning as South Africa were unable to fully capitalise on their first-day advantage. Their run rate was stuck at just over two an over as New Zealand relied on discipline to create chances. They bowled a further nine maiden overs, to add to their 31 on the first day, to take their total to 40 – more than a third of the total overs so far.
Conditions changed mid-way through the session as clouds rolled in and a light drizzle began to fall, which South Africa won’t mind too much. With the pitch getting a fair sprinkling, their bowlers may not be too unhappy to begin bowling soon but they’ll first try to push the score well beyond 300.
Two balls later, Henry beat Kyle Verreynne with a delivery that seamed away and missed the edge and two balls after that, Verreynne was nearly run-out at the non-striker’s end as he got off the mark with a risky single. Henry only had to wait until his next over for Verreynne to nick off to second slip. South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter has now scored just 112 runs from six Test innings and averages 14.
South Africa lost 2 for 23 in the first 10 overs of the morning and New Zealand kept the pressure on, conceding just 16 runs in the next 10 overs and something had to give. Neil Wagner was the beneficiary of the squeeze when van der Dussen, desperate for runs, chased a wide half-volley on one knee and edged to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.
Wiaan Mulder, still considered a batting allrounder, looked composed and played crisp drives off the front and back foot before attempting a pull off a length ball that he tried to bail out of playing. He top-edged Wagner high and Tom Blundell took the catch easily behind the stumps.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent