http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 tightening grip on first test against New Zealand– Cricket News update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 at University Oval, March 9, 2012. The two old hands further added a decisive 200-run stand to wear down the hosts.
After being bowled out on a meagre score of 238 in their first innings, the visiting team closed the 3rd day’s proceedings at 268 runs with 7 wickets still in hand. The lead crossed well over 200 and looked ominous on a wearing pitch, which will
make things tough for the Kiwis, when they take to bat in the 4th innings.
Earlier, South Africa started their second outing after their opponents took a slender 35-run lead, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CS-Martin-c1295 the last wicket to fall.
The skipper, along with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HM-Amla-c1557.
Following the two quick dismissals, Smith and Kallis then got down to business and displayed sublime skill to reconstruct the innings. Both looked assured in their massive stand, with their opponents having no answer to their prowess.
The skipper finally perished during the final stages of the day – with Bracewell cleaning up the left-hander, who walked back on 115. It was then left for Kallis (107*) and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jacques-Rudolph-c1619 (13*) to safely negotiate the final few overs as the tourists ended
on a healthy 268 for 3.
The Black Caps bowling department looked lacklustre all day despite the efforts of Bracewell, who obtained all three wickets for his side.
"There wasn't too much in the bowlers' favour. There wasn't too much pace or bounce or movement off the deck”, opined Bracewell to express the bowlers’ plight.
With two more days to go, the visitors seem to be strengthening their grip on the match. After a mediocre performance with the bat in the 1st innings, the South Africans have done extremely well to recover.
With the momentum in their favour, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598’s plea of claiming a clean sweep has been further fortified.
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