South Africa v New Zealand , 2nd Test Day 3: Five talking Points

Day three of the second SA v NZ Test match saw South Africa exert their dominance over the Kiwis as they went on to gain a healthy lead of 372 runs with four wickets in hand. In spite of Kane Williamson playing a gem of an innings, it was quite clearly the brilliance of Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada that ensured that a result was more than expected. Although the home side did indeed lose a plethora of wickets towards the end of the day, Quinton de Kock stood out with a wonderfully compiled half-century.

1. Steyn and Rabada cut through the Kiwis

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada turned up in their respective bowling threats as they picked up three wickets apiece. Steyn, in particular, was relentless with his new-found pace as well as renewed confidence, something that helped him pick the wickets. Kagiso Rabada too came of age in the later part of the innings when he was responsible for concluding the Kiwi innings prematurely at 214. Rabada also went on to claim the wicket of New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson.

2. Kane Williamson stands tall amid ruins

Kane Williamson, the skipper of the New Zealand side was expected to play a captain’s innings especially with most of the other batsmen not able to stitch a few runs together. Sure enough, the 26-year old came to the fore with an awesome effort and became the only batsman to manage a half-century. He smashed 77 and was supported by the tail in the form of Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, and Neil Wagner.

3. Neil Wagner adds last-minute flavor

The sorry state of the New Zealand batting card had a plethora of blemishes. However, while Kane Williamson managed a half-century, only Henry Nicholls, Doug Bracewell, and Neil Wagner were the only ones to cross over and score in double digits. However, the fact of the matter was Neil Wagner’s amazing and massive explosive innings. He smashed 31 off just 30 deliveries including 4 boundaries and a six. His effort ensured that the Kiwis would indeed save face and cross the psychological 200-run mark.

4. Quinton de Kock begins in a hurry

The Supersport Park wicket in centurion perhaps boasts of one of the fastest wickets in the world. While these wickets seemed to be hurrying the batsmen, it was clear that South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was completely at ease. Of course, he would go on to lose his wicket soon after, but, he raced away to a half-century. He was dismissed after scoring a brisk 50 when Kane Williamson completed an easy yet important catch. However, by then, the damage had been well and truly done.

5. South Africa struck by spectacular Boult

The Proteas batsmen know as well as anybody that Trent Boult is an absolute handful to handle on his day. Sure enough, Boult began to extract some vicious swing as the Proteas had absolutely no answer to his onslaught. However, the fact of the matter remained when he dismissed Stephen Cook to an absolute peach of a delivery. He almost removed Hashim Amla to a similar delivery, only for the umpire to rule a not out for the same.