Daily Times

CENTURION, South Africa: South Africa remained in a strong position but failed to take full command in their first innings on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.

South Africa stood at 358 for five at lunch, adding only 75 runs in 27 overs during the morning for the loss of two wickets. JP Duminy made 88 off 158 balls – with 13 fours – before he was caught behind off Tim Southee, getting a faint edge to an attempted pull against a bouncer.

Temba Bavuma also fell to a short ball, top-edging a pull against Neil Wagner to be well caught by Doug Bracewell – running in from fine leg – for eight. South African Captain Faf du Plessis batted cautiously for 57 not out at lunch off 138 balls. A largely defensive innings included one extravagant shot which almost cost him his wicket.

After labouring to 18 off 86 balls, he pulled a short ball from Trent Boult and the ball went for six through the hands of Henry Nicholls – running along the midwicket boundary. He reached his fifty off 130 balls when he pulled Wagner for his fifth four.

Southee and Boult set the match’s tone when they bowled testing spells of eight and seven overs respectively – although Southee’s dismissal of Duminy was their only reward. Wagner again bowled well and had the best figures of three for 65.