South Africa Reinforce Strong Position In Hamilton

South Africa Reinforce Strong Position In Hamilton

Dale Steyn (right) celebrates the important late dismissal of Ross Taylor on day two in Hamilton

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealand 185 & 65-4 (Williamson 41no) v
South Africa 253 (de Villiers 83)
Second Test, Hamilton, day two
Scorecard | Day One

South Africa remain in a strong position after day two of the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton after they reduced their hosts to 65 for four in their second innings.

After being bowled out for 253 in reply to New Zealand's 185, they closed the day three runs ahead and leaving New Zealand an uphill task to stay in the game.

South Africa began the day on 27 for two and were kept under pressure by Mark Gillespie (5-59) before AB de Villiers' 83 helped them into a healthy first-innings lead.

Gillespie marked his comeback with the wickets of Alviro Petersen (29), Hashim Amla (16), Jacques Kallis (6), Jacques Rudolph (1) and Mark Boucher (24).

De Villiers stood firm at the other end, hitting ten fours in his 133-ball innings before he was bowled by Daniel Vettori.

Doug Bracewell then bowled Vernon Philander for 14 and Kane Williamson had last man Imran Tahir caught by Gillespie, leaving Morne Morkel unbeaten on 35.

Philander (2-21) and Dale Steyn (2-10) then tore into the New Zealand top order and quickly had them in desperate trouble at seven for three.

Philander bowled Rob Nicol for one and had Brendon McCullum trapped in front for five while Steyn had Martin Guptill caught by Amla for one.

Ross Taylor made 17 in 72 balls as he and Williamson (41 not out) fougth gamely to get the Black Caps back on track but their partnership was broken shortly before stumps when Taylor was trapped in front by Steyn.

Daniel Vettori was yet to score when stumps were drawn.

The opening day saw New Zealand waste a promising start by losing five wickets with the score on 133, Philander and Steyn sharing seven wickets.

The three-match series is level at 0-0 after a rain-affected draw in the opening game in Dunedin.

© Cricket World 2012