De Kock, Cook help S Africa take control

THE TWO COMBINED FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST TEST CENTURY OPENING PARTNERSHIP SINCE DECEMBER 2013

CENTURION: South Africa were 283 for three at the end of Day One of the first Test, with New Zealand being 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.

Cook, Amla and Duminy all survived close calls by the umpires.

New Zealand unsuccessfully called for a review when Cook was given not out against Trent Boult by umpire Paul Reiffel when he was on one. Replays showed he got a faint inside edge.

Umpire Ian Gould was then involved in four decisions, giving Amla and Duminy out but seeing both overturned on review, while New Zealand failed to call for reviews when Cook and Duminy were given not out, with replays showing the ball hitting the stumps convincingly on both occasions.

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

It was South Africa’s first Test century opening partnership since December 2013.

It was also the first time since March 2009 that any team had reached three figures without losing a wicket before lunch on the first day of a Test in the country.

Brief scores: South Africa 283-3 after 88 overs (Quinton de Kock 82, JP Duminy 67 not out; Neil Wagner 2-51)