NZ aims to survive day to win series
CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand and England are each talking up their prospects as an absorbing second test enters its final day.
The Black Caps have a full day’s batting to endure to at least draw in Christchurch and snare a 10 series result.
England believes it can snare the 10 wickets required and square proceedings to end a long Australasian summer on a winning note.
Bad light was the touring side’s enemy late on day four as play was called off with 24 overs still scheduled to be bowled.
The Black Caps were 42 without loss off 23 overs when the players left Hagley Oval early, leaving it increasingly unlikely New Zealand will make a genuine bid for the 382 required today to win.
It needs to score 340 more off a maximum of 98 overs.
England’s first task will be prising out openers Tom Latham (25) and Jeet Raval (17), who staved off a taxing English newball onslaught from Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad before tea yesterday.
They were limpetlike in the 11 overs possible in the final session, offering a lone opening when James Vince at third slip spilled a tough chance from Latham off Anderson.
England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow believes New Zealand was fortunate not to be two or three down by stumps.
‘‘Without a shadow of doubt. Early on, the way that we beat the outside edge and there was a chance that went down,’’ he said.
‘‘There’s definitely enough in the pitch for us to take the wickets. We’ve seen that if you put the ball in the right places.’’
Bairstow reckons New Zealand’s toporder collapse to 36 for five in the first innings will be on the home team’s mind in fresh morning conditions today.
An outofform Raval was beaten numerous times but showed grit to stick around, particularly after being struck in the ribs by a rising ball from Broad.
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan said the openers performed their core role admirably.
‘‘It was obviously a tough period against two worldclass newball bowlers.
‘‘They got examined and tested in different in areas but they did a great job.’’
McMillan would not rule out a bid for victory but suggested survival was the first priority.
‘‘I’m very confident in our position,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve got a tough day ahead, make no bones about that. England are a top side, they’ve got some quality bowlers and they’re going to challenge us right throughout the day.’’
Earlier, England declared its second innings at 352 for nine an hour after lunch.
Captain Joe Root (54) and Dawid Malan (53) departed in quick succession just prior to lunch before firstinnings centurion Bairstow rattled off a quickfire 36. — NZN
JOHANNESBURG: South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis dismantled Australia’s demoralised and depleted attack in Johannesburg in the first session on day four yesterday, overcoming a painful finger injury to build his side a 469run lead at lunch on day four of the fourth test.
The Proteas resumed at 134 for three and then progressed to 202 for three at lunch.
History suggests the Proteas already have more than enough runs on the board.
West Indies’ 418 for seven remains the test record for a successful run chase.
But du Plessis, boasting a 21 series advantage, had more interest in batting the tired touring side out of the contest rather than making an early declaration.
South Africa has never defeated Australia in a home test series since the end of apartheid, failing on seven previous attempts.
Du Plessis is understandably determined to end that streak.
‘‘Not sure what South Africa are doing out there, just block ing & boring everyone,’’ Shane Warne posted on Twitter.
‘‘We want Test match cricket to survive and be exciting, this is not a good advertisement for the game. Get on with it & declare!‘‘
Du Plessis, averaging 9.17 in the series before his final innings, was struck on the gloves by Chadd Sayers on day three at the Wanderers.
Pat Cummins inflicted another nasty blow to du Plessis’ finger yesterday, with the batsman slumping to the ground in immense pain.
Du Plessis was cleared to bat on and scored freely, stroking 14 boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 81.
Opener Dean Elgar was more cautious, reaching 59 not out at lunch after taking more than an hour to add to his overnight score of 39.
The opening session on day four was delayed then interrupted because of bad light, with officials losing about 30 minutes of play.
Showers were forecast to interrupt play later on day four and again on day five.
Australia is dealing with literal and metaphorical dark clouds in Johannesburg.
The touring side has struggled to focus on the fourth test, with players’ minds regularly returning to the cheating scandal that resulted in Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft returning home in shame.
‘‘You’ve got some of your best players not in the side. It’s just about people picking up the slack and trying to get better every day,’’ captain Tim Paine said yesterday.
Day three was one of Australia’s more promising days on a controversyplagued tour, although the best efforts of Paine and Pat Cummins failed to halt the home side’s push for a historic test series victory.