Dane-ish delight for resurgent Proteas as they topple Black Caps to earn 31-run lead
14th February 2024
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Proteas stars Dane Piedt and Dane Paterson combined for eight wickets as New Zealand fell 31 runs short of South Africa's first-innings total on day two of the second Test in Hamilton.
It was a chaotic day Seddon Park, with no less than 14 wickets falling to move the second and final Test match along nicely.
South Africa resumed play on 220/6 with Ruan de Swart and Shaun von Berg well set. But the visitors only managed to add 23 runs to their overnight total. That was largely thanks to an inspired spell from William O'Rourke, who picked up three quick wickets to finish with 4/59. De Swardt top-scored with a stoic 64 for the Proteas, who would have hoped for more on runs the board after a gutsy day one.
Opening the bowling, Dane Paterson got the early breakthrough, dismissing Devon Conway for a duck in the first over and New Zealand limped to lunch at 27/1.
Tom Latham and the indomitable Kane Williamson combined for 74 runs before Piedt turned one past Latham's outside edge and knocked his off stump. The offbreak bowler struck again a few over later to dismiss the dangerous Williamson for 43, caught at short-leg.
The hosts recovered somewhat to 143/3 and Rachin Ravindra - fresh off his double-century heroics in the opening Test - and Will Young looked solid. But quick bowler Tshepo Moreki started New Zealand's demise when he got through Ravindra's defences to rattle the woodwork.
Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Young and captain Tim Southee all fell in quick succession thanks to the combination of Piedt and the accurate Paterson (3/39). Matt Henry would be run out after a miscommunication, leaving New Zealand 183/9, still 59 runs behind.
But Neil Wagner, who seemingly loves playing against his former countrymen, played with his usual aggressiveness to swat 33 off 27 before Piedt picked up his fifth wicket with a stumping. It was the Cape Town native's second five-for in Test cricket (5/89), made all the more meaningful by the four-year break since his last appearance in Test whites.
