Boult puts Black Caps in control

First sessions of tests are about teams setting out their stall and taking the early initiative.

They can be among the most fascinating passages of the five days, and so New Zealand would have been chuffed to have South Africa 41 for two early in the second hour of the first test at Durban last night.

But that delight eased back, as champion batsman Hashim Amla took charge.

At lunch, having won the toss, South Africa had got over their first hour wobbles to be 94 for t wo, inform Amla having raced to 42 off 41 balls and JP Duminy on 13.

New Zealand wanted to bowl first in damp conditions on a soft green pitch and Trent Boult, in particular made the most of his chance.

Boult’s form has been up and down in recent months, partly down to injury issues. But his first spell was outstanding. The numbers, 8- 3- 8- 1, suggest parsimony from the left arm swing man.

True enough, but he also beat the bat of openers Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook repeatedly, four times in one over in left- hander Elgar’s case.

Boult had the ball on a string, the batsmen — neither of whom ventured on to the front foot with certainty — reduced to groping more in hope than certainty.

Faf du Plessis, standing in as skipper for the injured AB de Villiers, was convinced he made the right decision at the toss but needed Amla to get him out of a jam.

Cook, at 33, is playing his second test. His first, against England last January, produced a century. He’s a fidgety batsman and Boult eventually got him for 20 with a lovely ball he edged to the wicketkeeper. Elgar went soon after for 19, edging Doug Bracewell to Martin Guptill at second slip.

Bracewell is the only change from the team who beat Zimbabwe 2- 0, in for legspinner Ish Sodhi.

Amla edged Tim Southee just short of third slip on 21 but produced a stream of impressive strokes, as did Duminy, surprisingly promoted to No 4. Boult was also involved in Duminy’s dismissal for 14 four overs after lunch, catching him after he topedged a Neil Wagner delivery to fine leg. Amla brought up his half- century in the next over but was caught by BJ Watling off the bowling of Boult for 53 soon after. That left New Zealand in control at 106- 4.