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New Zealand v South Africa - South Africa tour of New Zealand, 2nd Test (Day 2) – Match recap – New Zealand trail by 3 on Day 2

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New Zealand v South Africa - South Africa tour of New Zealand, 2nd Test (Day 2) – Match recap – New Zealand trail by 3 on Day 2
South Africa continued to dominate play on day two during the 2nd Test of their 3-match series against New Zealand at Seddon Park in Hamilton, on March 16, leaving the hosts trailing by 3 runs with 6 wickets remaining.
The Proteas won the toss and opted to field on day 1. Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill opened the Kiwi’s first innings, but Nicol, who has been having a disappointing run with the bat since the ODI series (during which his highest score was 30) continued his
mediocre outings, and managed a mere 2 before he was sent back to the pavilion by the deadly Vernon Philander.
Dale Steyn cleaned up the remaining top-order, taking Guptill out at 22, and went on to remove the threat of Brendon McCullum (61) in the 49th over, leaving the Kiwis at 133 for 3. Captain Ross Taylor chipped in with 44, but the remaining batsmen
were far from remarkable. Kane Williamson and Daniel Vettori went out on duck, and the only notable lower-order contributions were by Kruger van Wyk (21) and Mark Gillespie (27).
Philander once again remained the terror of the Black Caps, claiming 4 for 70, and was joined by Steyn (3-49) and Imran Tahir (2-12) in restricting their opponents to 185.
The South African innings was opened by skipper Graeme Smith, who managed a mere 13. After he was dismissed by Chris Martin, the devastating Gillespie struck 5 times, taking out the veterans Hashim Amla (16) and Jacques Kallis (6)before they had time to
settle, and followed it up with the wicket of Alviro Petersen, who was cut short at 29.
However, Gillespie’s 5 for 59 was not enough to restrict the visitors, as AB de Villiers stepped up to score a whopping 83, and was supported by a lower order which succeeded in bringing the total up to 253 – prominent scorers included wicketkeeper Mark
Boucher (24),Philander (14), and Morne Morkel (with an unbeaten 35).
The Kiwis took to the crease once again, but the deadly duo of Steyn (2 for 10) and Philander (2-21) was once again on the prowl and made light work of the New Zealand batsmen. Philander snapped up the first two, taking opener Nicol out on 1, and following
that up with McCullum, whose second time at the crease was less successful, as he managed only 5 before he was sent back to the pavilion.
Steyn took care of Guptill (1) and Taylor (17), while Williamson improved on his first performance, scoring an unbeaten 41, and taking the team up to 65.
The third day poses a challenge for the Kiwis as they attempt to put in an improved showing against a formidable Proteas bowling lineup.