Amla And Petersen Prosper On Shortened Opening Day

Amla And Petersen Prosper On Shortened Opening Day

Hashim Amla hits out during his innings of 63 on the opening day in Wellington

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africa 136-2 v New Zealand
Third Test, Wellington, day one
Scorecard

South Africa made good progress on a shortened opening day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Wellington to close on 136 for two.

Just 42 overs of play were possible before bad light finally brought a close to proceedings but in that time Hashim Amla scored a half-century.

He made 63 as South Africa recovered from the early departure of Graeme Smith for five to find themselves in good shape after opposing captain Ross Taylor had won the toss and decided to field first.

It was a good start for the Black Caps when Doug Bracewell had Smith caught by Kruger van Wyk but a 93-run partnership between Amla and Alviro Petersen (44 not out) steered South Africa to safety.

Amla faced 98 balls and hit ten fours before he was caught by wicket-keeper van Wyk off Mark Gillespie.

Petersen's patient knock saw him face 113 balls while unbeaten alongside him at stumps was JP Duminy, who made 23 in 28 balls.

South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after a drawn opener in Dunedin and a nine-wicket win in Hamilton.

© Cricket World 2012