Bowlers Take Charge On Opening Day In Hamilton

Bowlers Take Charge On Opening Day In Hamilton

Vernon Philander (left) celebrates the wicket of Daniel Vettori during the opening day's play in Hamilton

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand 185 (McCullum 61, Philander 4-70) v
South Africa 27-2 (Martin 2-18)
Second Test, Hamilton, day one
Scorecard

12 wickets fell on the opening day of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Hamilton as fast bowlers held sway.

Vernon Philander showed why he has become one of Test cricket's hottest properties by taking four for 70 as New Zealand were dismissed for 185 but South Africa then closed on 27 for two.

Chris Martin helped New Zealand end the day strongly although their batsmen had earlier failed to give them the sort of start they wanted after South Africa won the toss.

In an extraordinary passage of play after lunch, New Zealand lost five wickets with the score on 133, slumping from a promising platform of 133 for two to a problematic 133 for seven.

Brendon McCullum (61), Ross Taylor (44), Kane Williamson (0), Daniel Vettori (0) and Doug Bracewell (0) were the men who lost their wickets as South Africa turned the session on its head.

Philander struck to remove Rob Nicol (2), Ross Taylor (44), Daniel Vettori (0) and Doug Bracewell (0) while Dale Steyn finished with three for 49 and leg-spinner Imran Tahir returned two for 12.

McCullum stood firm, hitting 61 in 133 balls with six fours and a six while Taylor made 44 in 93 balls but otherwise New Zealand were disappointing.

Martin Guptill (22), Kruger van Wyk (21) and then Mark Gillespie (27 in 20 balls) were the only others to reach double figures.

Morne Morkel was the other South African to bag a wicket when he trapped van Wyk leg before.

Martin and van Wyk then combined to have both Graeme Smith (13) and Steyn (4) caught behind as South Africa were unable to see off a testing spell late on.

The opening Test in the three-match series was drawn in Dunedin.

© Cricket World 2012