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South Africa on top after Day 2

Saturday, March 27 2004

South Africa have reached 237/2 at the close of Day 2 in response to New Zealand’s disappointing 297.

Chris Cairns started the morning in style by hitting the third ball from Andre Nel for six but the next over he misjudged a delivery from Shaun Pollock and was bowled for 69. Daniel Vettori then came and went 2 balls later and at 257/8 New Zealand had started the day terribly.

Michael Mason departed for three which brought in Chris Martin on a streak of nine successive test ducks. He however managed to hang around and get off the mark while Jacob Oram really took to the bowling striking some mighty blows.

The innings came to an end when Jacob Oram was out stumped to Nicky Boje for 34 and New Zealand were all out for 297.

Nicky Boje was the pick of the South African bowlers having figures of 4/65 while Shaun Pollock picked up 3/85 and Ntini, Kallis and Nel took one a piece.

South Africa started their innings in style in taking to the bowling of the debutant Michael Mason and forcing him off his game. Chris Martin also struggled to settle in the high Wellington wind and Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs made New Zealand pay.

The break through came for New Zealand with the score at 103 when Chris Cairns bowled a full delivery to Graeme Smith and all he managed to do with the wide delivery was drag it back onto his stumps and the South African skipper was on his way for 47.

Jacques Rudolph joined Herschelle Gibbs and the run rate really slowed while Rudolph looked to get himself set. The pressure told on Gibbs and Chris Martin managed to get him to drive a wide one and the 12th man James Marshall hung onto a flyer of a catch at point to dismiss him for 77.

Gary Kirsten was next in and in his final test would have been looking for a score of some substance. This was not to be with him getting a cracking delivery from Chris Martin and being out caught behind for 1.

Martin van Jaarsveld playing his first game of the tour came in and looked settled almost immediately having a very sound technique. He along with Jacques Rudolph took South Africa through to the commanding position of 237/3 at stumps with Rudolph not out 60 and van Jaarsveld not out 48.

New Zealand will be looking for early wickets tomorrow morning with the new ball and if they don't come South Africa will be looking for a score in the region of 500+.

Score Summary

New Zealand 297 (M Sinclair 74, C Cairns 69, B McCullum 54, N Boje 4/65, S Pollock 3/85)

South Africa 237/3 (H Gibbs 77, J Rudolph 60*, M Van Jaarsveld 48*, G Smith 47, C Martin 2/34)

Posted by James