New Zealand Doze Off ... Again

Ross Taylor pulls for 4

After winning the first session of the 2nd day at Dunedin by wrapping up the South African innings ad then reaching 1-40 at lunch, New Zealand again blew their chances. For so much of their Test history, the Kiwis have done the equivalent of farting in front of Grandma just as the family inheritance was about to be signed into their name.

Chris Martin, Doug Bracewell and a ridiculous run out closed down the South Africans after adding 47. Tahir managed to conspire with Morne Morkel to be run out attempting a third run but Vettori's throw from the deep found him well short.

After Vernon Philander predictably got an early breakthrough removing the new boy Rob Nicol with bounce and movement, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill batted soundly till lunch. Guptill was gone in the first over after lunch, part of a great spell by Morkel. Guptill helped by leaving a big gap between bat and pad and his inside edge cleaned up the stumps. Ross Taylor and McCullum provided the best batting of the innings with a 66 run stand which looked solid despite the slowness of the run scoring but both were gone within three overs of each other after drinks. McCullum went in a typically rash manner, falling on his sword for the umpteenth time in Tests. This time he launched an ambition sweep at a Tahir leggie and top edged it back to the bowler. Taylor, having cruised to 44 with 7 fours, played a lazy shot a long way from off stump and was caught by Mark Boucher. He'll knock himself off his feet sometime tonight when his captain gives him a kick in the backside.

Vernon Philander gets Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson was undone by a wonderful over of bowling from Philander who returned just before tea. The first five balls cramped him on off stump and worked him over and the last was a bit wider and moved late. A lesser player might not have edged it to Boucher.

Despite the runs, it was South Africa's session.

The last was also, despite a fifty three run stand between the worlds most awkward batting success, Dan Vettori and Kruger van Wyk who has nearly 5000 first class runs to his credit. This might be his first Test but its also his 100th first class game. Bracewell was handy with the bat but the last five overs of the day yielded three wickets for the South Africans, Philander and Steyn doing the honours.

New Zealand have a slender lead but they have the problem of making lightning strike twice and the South African batting line up bristles when it fails. The wicket played well today but the class and ability of Philander shone through. He is a marvellous bowler.

Tomorrow should decide the Test.

Session Count: NZ 2, SA 3 after Day 2