Steyn returns to haunt top order

There’s a few good reasons why New Zealand haven’t won a cricket test in South Africa in almost 22 years.

High on that list is Dale Steyn, and the South African fast bowler again caused the Black Caps’ top order plenty of problems to leave the hosts on top in the first test after two rain-affected days in Durban.

New Zealand lost both openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill to Steyn in a testing period where the ball swung viciously under the leaden skies, before rain intervened with the tourists 15-2 in reply to South Africa’s first innings of 263.

‘‘Pretty tough. It was a pretty good spell there from [Vernon] Philander and Steyn,’’ said New Zealand allrounder Mitchell Santner.

Steyn’s figures at stumps were a stellar 6-4-3-2 while Philander, as he’s done previously to the Black Caps, caused headaches with swing and seam.

It was very hard work for the openers. Latham was dropped in the cordon before he was enticed to drive at a wider one from Steyn, and this time the edge was gratefully accepted.

Guptill, desperate to shake his reputation as suspect against quality pace bowling, dug in for 41 minutes, trying to play late with soft hands.

Guptill earlier survived a confident lbw appeal to one that nipped back sharply from Steyn, but second time around umpire Richard Illingworth had little option when Steyn ot one to nip back after a series of outswingers and Guptill was plumb in front.