Black Caps Quicks defeat Proteas first place in seesaw test

New Zealand’s sailors battled through South Africa’s top order to limit the Proteas to 3-42 in their second innings and a 113-run lead at the tea on day three of the second and final Test in Christchurch.

Tim Southee took opener Sarel Erwee lbw for eight and then trailed South Africa captain Dean Elgar for 13 on a cold and overcast afternoon at Hagley Oval.

Matt Henry sent a shiver through South Africa towards the end of the session when he bowled number three Aiden Markram for 14.

Rassie van der Dussen has not been outside seven times and Temba Bavuma is yet to score as New Zealand dominated the session after being eliminated for 293.

All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme previously held out for a defiant century to get New Zealand back in the game, going off the floor unbeaten at 120.

He and Daryl Mitchell combined for a 133-run streak after tying with their team in danger at 5-91 on Day 2.

De Grandhomme survived a period of jitters in the 90s before beating spinner Keshav Maharaj for a three-point just before the break to win his second Test century.

Maharaj eventually broke their partnership by jailing Mitchell lbw for 60.

Sear Marco Jansen grabbed his third wicket just before lunch after Kyle hit Jamieson in the leg gutter to be out for 13 after being softened by a short tackle.

De Grandhomme and Neil Wagner (21) slammed South Africa’s bowler around the floor in a valuable 38-run partnership after lunchtime until Wagner was caught punching Kagiso Rabada to a fine leg.

Rabada outscored South Africa’s bowling 5-60 and ended New Zealand’s innings by catching Henry for a duck.

New Zealand, who beat the Proteas by one innings and 276 runs in their first meeting in Christchurch last week, needed just a draw to earn their first straight win over the South Africans.

A win, however, would see the Black Caps oust Australia as the No. 1 Test team in the world while also bolstering their World Test Championship defense with maximum points.

Comments are closed.