Proteas in control despite collapse

Centurion, August 29

South Africa held on to a strong position despite a top-order batting collapse in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand.

South Africa were 105/6 at the close, an overall lead of 372 runs on a pitch at Centurion's SuperSport Park offering assistance to bowlers, with swing, seam and uneven bounce. New Zealand hit back after conceding a first innings lead of 267, with Tim Southee and Trent Boult taking two wickets each to reduce South Africa to 47/4. Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner also picked up wickets, with only Quinton de Kock shining for the South Africans.

South Africa's three-pronged pace attack was mainly responsible for New Zealand being bowled out for 214 in their first innings.

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each and Vernon Philander claimed two. Only captain Kane Williamson was able to provide sustained resistance. — AFP

Scoreboard

SA 481/8 dec

New Zealand (214)

M Guptill c Van Zyl b Philander 8

T Latham c De Kock b Steyn 4

K Williamson c De Kock b Rabada 77

R Taylor run out 1

H Nicholls lbw b Rabada 36

B Watling c De Kock b Steyn 8

M Santner b Philander 0

D Bracewell lbw b Rabada 18

T Southee c De Kock b Piedt 8

N Wagner c De Kock b Steyn 31

T Boult not out 0

Extras: (b5, lb2, nb1, w15) 23

Total (all out in 58.3 overs) 214

FOW:-13, 2-13, 3-26, 4-86, 5-106, 6-111, 7-144, 8-169, 9-214

Bowling

Steyn 20-3-66-3

Philander 15-1-43-2

Rabada 16.3-4-62-3

Piedt 7-0-36-1

South Africa

S Cook lbw b Boult 4

Q de Kock c Williamson b Bracewell 50

H Amla c Guptill b Southee 1

J Duminy lbw b Southee 0

F du Plessis c Taylor b Boult 6

T Bavuma batting 25

S van Zyl c Watling b Wagner 5

V Philander batting 3

Extras: (b4, nb1, w6) 11

Total (6 wkts, 34 overs) 105

FOW:1-31, 2-32, 3-32, 4-47, 5-82, 6-98

Bowling

Southee 10-5-27-2

Boult 8-0-38-2

Bracewell 7-2-19-1

Wagner 9-1-17-1