(Cricket news) Led by Dane Piedt’s career best figures (5/89), the South African team made a strong comeback on the Day 2 of the second test. The Proteas bundled out New Zealand for 211 runs, securing a crucial 31-run lead in the first innings.
Dane Piedt made a solid comeback, 5 years after he last played for South Africa at Ranchi, where he was smoked all around by the Indians, conceding 100 runs in just 18-over. In conditions far less conducive to spin, this is a defining performance from the 33-year-old off spinner.
The start of the day was poor for the visitors, loosing their last 4 wickets early in the morning. They only managed to add 22 runs in the morning session before they were folded up for 242 runs. The kiwi debutant accounted for three out the four wickets that fell in the morning and ensured that South Africa did not run away with a good first innings score.
The Proteas however were in no mood to surrender. A stunning delivery from Paterson dismissed Devon Conway in the very first over, which was followed by a brilliant spell of bowling from Paterson and Tshepo Moreki, which kept down the Kiwis to just 27 runs from 16 overs of play before lunch.
New Zealand’s two most experienced batters then took the charge post lunch and built a wonderful 75-run partnership, to steady the innings after the early pressure. However both the batters were dismissed in a matter of just 4 overs, which opened the doors for South African comeback. Rachin Ravingra along with Will Young showed some resistence putting up a 59-run stand but once again South Africa were able to nip the danger in the bud.
The New Zealand batting soon witnessed a collapse post Ravindra’s dismissal and South Africa were well and truly back in the game, kudos to some great bowling from Piedt. New Zealand lost their next 6 wickets for just 38 runs and were reduced to 183/9. A 28-run partnership for the last wicket took the hosts to 211, however conceding a lead of 31 runs.
South African camp would be thrilled with how the day went. The inexperienced side made a roaring comeback into the game and they will look to build up on this momentum on the 3rd of the test, which could well be the match-defining day.
Brief scores: South Africa 242 lead New Zealand 211 (Kane Williamson 43; Dane Piedt 5-89, Dane Paterson 3-39) by 31 runs
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