South Africa have shocked the Black Caps by bowling them out for 211 on the second day of the second Test in Hamilton, the tourists 31 runs ahead as they seek the win that will draw the series.
Kane Williamson top scored with 43 in what was a disappointing batting display at Seddon Park by New Zealand who were hampered by an impressive spell of spin bowling by Dane Piedt, the 33-year-old taking a career-best 5-89, and a succession of poor decisions by the hosts which leaves the Test in the balance.
Fast bowler Will O’Rourke had a morning to remember when taking three of South Africa’s four wickets to fall in the session to finish with figures of 4-59 as the Proteas were bowled out for 242 but a hint of what was to come came in the first over of New Zealand’s reply, opener Devon Conway out for a three-ball duck.
There were plenty more false shots from the New Zealand batters, and a run out too, as they contrived to put themselves under pressure on a pitch which began to turn more and more and which rewarded South Africa’s decision to take three spinners into the Test. After leaving out Mitch Santner, the Black Caps have only one spin specialist in Rachin Ravindra.
Opener Tom Latham and Williamson put on an excellent partnership of 74 before Latham was out bowled by Piedt, and it was the offspinner who dismissed Williamson 11 runs later, the former skipper edging one on to his pad and caught at short leg.
Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand’s hero in the first Test, went for 29 after cutting a delivery from Tshepo Moreki on to his stumps, with New Zealand losing their next six wickets for 66 runs. Will Young, in for the injured Daryl Mitchell and hoping to cement his place back in the XI, will be particularly disappointed after getting a good start and going for 36.
It was a collapse which will put real pressure on tomorrow as they seek to limit the damage. After this display, batting last on this pitch may be fraught with peril.
“The game is in the balance and it’s going to be a couple of important first couple of hours for us tomorrow,” Latham told TVNZ afterwards.
Matt Henry offered some resistance before running himself out for 10 but it was Neil Wagner, coming in at No.10 after Tim Southee threw his wicket away, who contributed with an innings of real value.
Wagner struck 33 off 27 balls, the only batter in the Test with a positive runs-to-balls ratio, a knock which included three fours and two sixes.
The tailender’s innings got the Black Caps closer to South Africa’s total than they perhaps may have expected as he strolled to the pitch.
As for the status of the series, it’s eerily similar to two years ago, when, after the Black Caps easily won the first Test, they were thrashed in the second.
In 18 times of trying, New Zealand have never won a Test series against South Africa. After winning comfortably at Bay Oval last week, they only need a draw in Hamilton, but, after today’s display, the odds are moving in South Africa’s favour.
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