The second-string South African side has managed to keep the Test series alive after David Bedingham’s maiden Test ton helped them set a target of 267 on Day 3 of the second Test. Debutant William ORourke took a five-wicket haul to bowl out South Africa for 235 but with New Zealand 40/1 at the end of the day's play, the game looks delicately poised between the two teams on a pitch that is assisting the spinners as well.
Starting the day at the overnight score of 186/4, the Proteas lost Keegan Petersen early, thanks to a screamer taken by Glenn Phillips at gully. He contributed 43 runs from 79 balls in the 98-run partnership. Bedingham reached his maiden Test ton from 126 balls.
Phillips did damage with the ball dismissing Ruan de Swardt for a single-digit score. ORourke's extra bounce surprised Bedingham. He departed after scoring 110 runs from 141 balls including 12 fours and a couple of sixes. Phillips struck again to dismiss Dane Piedt as Tim Southee took a stunning one-handed catch. Rouroke then completed his maiden fifer with the wickets of Shaun von Berg and Dane Paterson. South Africa lost their last six wickets for just 33 runs and were bowled out for 235.
ORourke breaks 9-year-old record
ORourke returned with 9/93 in both innings, best match figures by a New Zealand bowler on test debut. He broke Mark Craig's record created in 2014. Craig took eight wickets for 188 runs against West Indies.
South Africa's chance to create history
New Zealand's run chase got off to an ideal start with Tom Latham and Devon Conway batting well against the pacers. But in the last over of the day, Conway got out lbw to Piedt. He scored 177 runs from 44 balls. The hosts' score was 40/1 at the end of the day’s play. They need 227 more runs to win the second Test and create history.
South Africa have never won a Test series against New Zealand whether it is in home conditions or away. It is New Zealand’s best chance as South Africa had to send an inexperienced Test side as senior players stayed back to play in the domestic T20 league SA20.
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