South Africa 38/1, lead by five runs on Day 3 vs New Zealand
Dunedin, March 10 (IANS) South Africa took a slender five-run second innings lead to end the third day’s play at 38/1 after bowling New Zealand out for 341 in their first essay in the opening cricket Test at the University Oval here on Friday.
At stumps, opener Dean Elgar, the centurion in the first innings, was unbeaten on 12 runs with Hashim Amla giving him company on 23.
Earlier, resuming the third day at 177/3, the Kiwis rode on skipper Kane Williamson (130)’s 16th Test ton and wicketkeeper-batsman Bradley-John Watling’s patient half century to post 341 and get a meagre 33-run lead.
Williamson’s ton brought him level with Ross Taylor and one behind the New Zealand record of 17 held by the Martin Crowe.
After the departure of Williamson, New Zealand saw a batting collapse as they lost their middle order batsmen in 27 runs after lower order batsman Neil Wagner (32) steadied the fort for the hosts.
Apart from Watling and Wagner, no other lower-middle order batsmen stood up to the occasion as the tailenders — Mitchell Santner (4), Trent Boult (2) — only managed to add six runs in the end.
For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj scalped five wickets while pacer Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander took two wickets each.