New Zealand collapse in Hamilton test

The Kiwis were made to sweat in the latter part of their second test against South Africa as they crumbled for 185 after sitting pretty at 133/2. Graeme Smith won the toss and put the hosts into bat on a green top.

New Zealand made a poor start to their innings as Rob Nicol fell yet again early for 2 with the score at 11. He was caught by Mark Boucher off Vernon Philander. Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum added 33 for the second wicket before Guptill fell for 22.
He was cleaned up by Dale Steyn.

Skipper, Ross Taylor took the score to 133 with McCullum before the latter fell for 61. Taylor followed him immediately in the next over for 44. Once again it was Steyn and Philander doing the damage. Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori  and Doug Bracewell also
fell at the same score leaving the Kiwis reeling at 133/7.

Mark Gillespie, who was making his test comeback after three years added 43 with wicket-keeper batsman Kruger van Wyk before the keeper was LBW off Morne Morkel for 21. Gillespie fell for 27 off 20 balls attempting to clear the ropes off Imran Tahir. Brent
Arnel was the last man to depart for 3. He was also LBW off Tahir as the hosts folded for 185.

Philander picked up four wickets while Steyn bagged three. Tahir snapped up two while Morkel got one wicket under his belt.

In reply, South Africa were also made to struggle before the stumps were drawn on day one. Smith and night-watchman Steyn were the two wickets to fall down as the Proteas closed the day at 27/2. Fast bowler, Chris Martin picked up both the wickets to leave
the test match interestingly poised.

Day two will continue tomorrow as New Zealand look to get the lead after the first test ended in a draw with no play possible on the final day.

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Posted by Taha Habib on Mar 15 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry