Black Caps set Herculean task
Several bruised egos, and one crucial broken limb, among New Zealand’s batsmen suggests a monumental effort is required to stave off defeat against South Africa today.
One final day of the home summer remains in which New Zealand, minus injured captain Ross Taylor (fractured left forearm), can defy South Africa’s pace attack in the third test at the Basin Reserve after a promising day turned into another Vernon Philander procession.
An unlikely target of about 350 looms, probably in about 80 overs, after South African openers Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen blazed to 75-0 off 15 overs in their second innings at stumps.
They lead by 274 overall, and at 1-0 up in the three-match series don’t need to take any risks. Fine weather is forecast for the final day.
‘‘I would like to think so [we can win the test]. The bowlers are confident but obviously how the wicket plays and how we take our chances will play a part,’’ said Philander, whose 6-81 saw him race to 50 career wickets in just his seventh test.
New Zealand, replying to the tourists’ 474-9 declared, needed their best batting effort of the summer.
It looked hopeful, but only some late swishes from Mark Gillespie helped them stagger past the follow-on target, dismissed for 275.
The pitch remained friendly for batting, but offered enough for fast bowlers of South Africa’s calibre and pace to cause problems.
Dale Steyn, the world’s No 1 test bowler, found his rhythm and set the ball rolling.
Figures of 2-41 off 23 overs didn’t represent the constant threat he posed, including a 146kmh bouncer to remove a hooking Brendon Mccullum for 31.
Steyn had Martin Guptill (twice) and Mccullum dropped by JP Duminy. He and Morne Morkel had the ball fizzing through in the first hour, the pressure had to tell.
Opener Daniel Flynn made a solid job of his first test innings in 27 months, scoring 45 before Philander found his edge. Guptill needed runs any way he could and, after 257 minutes and some good fortune for 59, was trapped in front by one that kept low.
Taylor’s maiming was a vital turning point at 160-3. The skipper had looked composed and in good touch this series, but had a highest score of 48 not out in Dunedin.
Morkel got one to rear and cracked him on the left wrist. It swelled up horrifically and the crowd could feel his agony on the big screen. After some attention and magic spray, Taylor bravely continued, but after one more ball, which he cut to backward point to move to 18, he couldn’t continue.
Regular wickets fell as New Zealand’s innings summed up their summer; some promising starts but no-one cashing in. In eight completed test innings against Australia and South Africa, no New Zealand batsman has scored a century, nor has the team topped 300. The coaches weren’t pleased. ‘‘There is no underestimating their bowling attack, but six of the top seven all made sufficient starts to make sure at least two players went on and got 80-plus, and one of them went 100-plus and we didn’t do that,’’ assistant coach Trent Woodhill said.
Flynn said the batsmen would play their natural games today and try to kick on. He and Woodhill didn’t rule out a crack at any target, but an honourable draw would be a good result from here against the world’s best attack.