SA batsmen give hosts control on opening day
CENTURION: South Africa’s top four batsmen all made halfcenturies 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 on Saturday.
South Africa were 283 for three 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.
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.