South Africa in firm control of the game –Third Test, 2nd day vs. New Zealand

South Africa 246-2 (Alviro Petersen 96*, Jean-Paul-Duminy 76*, Doug Bracewell 1-46)

South Africa tightened their grip on a rain affected second day of the third Test against New Zealand and cruised at 246-2 on stumps.

Hashim Amla was declared unfit for the rest of the match due to the injury he suffered on the first day of the match. The team manager of South Africa, Dr. Mohammad Moosajee described the injury of Amla by saying,

“Hashim underwent emergency exploratory surgery resulting from blunt trauma sustained to his groin region. He spent the night in hospital and was discharged this morning. The surgeon is satisfied with the outcome and expects Hashim to make a full recovery, however, it is unlikely that he will be able to take further part in the current Test match at the Basin Reserve.”

The third and final Test entered the second day, on March 24 2012, at Basin Reserve, Wellington.

The start of the match was delayed because of rain, the play resumed at 2.15 pm and 49 overs were expected to be delivered during rest of the day. The visitors had scored 136 runs for the loss of two wickets at the close of the first day’s play, Alviro Petersen and Jean-Paul-Duminy were unbeaten on 44 and 23 runs respectively.

Both batsmen started off well and kept the score board moving while dispatching boundaries every now and then as Petersen achieved his fifty on the third ball of the 45^th over by sending the ball out of the fence. The flow of runs continued and the Black Caps bowlers found it hard to restrict the scoring.

Pietersen got a lucky break when he was dropped at 68 runs by Martin Guptill off Doug Bracewell and the chance of getting a breakthrough was spoiled. Duminy reached his fifty on the fourth ball of the 61^st over with a four, earned by hooking behind the wicket keeper and 200 of the innings was posted in the 64^th over.

Ross Taylor utilised six bowlers to dislodge the partnership but was unable to separate the dominant looking batsmen. Tea was taken at the end of the 72^nd over when the Proteas had reached at 222 without losing any wicket on the second day. Just seven overs were bowled after tea when the light was offered to the batsmen who opted to go out of the field.

South Africa scored 246 runs after losing two wickets, Alviro Petersen was four short of his third ton. Jean-Paul Duminy was taking part in the Test after a lapse of about two years as he played his last Test vs. India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Duminy scored just six runs in two innings as the hosts won the match by an innings and 57 runs. He was doing well at the end of the second day’s play in the ongoing Test for 76 and anticipating posting his second century on day three.

Bright sunshine is forecasted for the coming two days and there is hope for challenging cricket during the rest of the match.