NZ v SA, 1st Test, Day 3 Review: Williamson smashes 16th century, match evenly poised

At the end of the 3rd day’s play at the University Oval in Dunedin, it was even stevens between South Africa and New Zealand with the visitors leading New Zealand by just 5 runs in the 2nd innings with 9 wickets in his hand. New Zealand managed to post 341 in their 1st inning riding on a brilliant century from captain Kane Williamson. Wicketkeeper BJ Watling also chipped in with a well-made half-century. South Africa ended the day’s play at 38/1 with the loss of Stephen Cook’s wicket.

Beginning the day’s play at 177/3, the hosts lost nightwatchman Jeetan Patel pretty cheaply to the bowling of Vernon Philander. It moved away from the batsman and took the outside edge of the bat hich was brilliantly taken by Faf du Plessis in the slip cordon. Jimmy Neesham joined Williamson in the middle but could only manage 7 before giving away his wicket to Morne Morkel.

It was a length delivery outside the off stump which deviated of the seam. The southpaw felt for it like the previus delivery and edged it straight to the wicket keeper. The umpires went upstairs to check the no ball but replays showed Morkel was just inside the line. Wicket keeper BJ Watling walked out in the middle to join his captain Kane Williamson. The duo looked in control and looked to rebuild the innings after the loss of two early wickets.

They rotated the strike along and struck the occasional boundaries which kept the scoreboard ticking. Williamson brought up his 16th Test century of his career in the 76th over of JP Duminy. He smashed Duminy for a scorching boundary immediately after reaching his century. After stitching together a crucial 84 runs partnership, Williamson departed after scoring 130.

Kagiso Rabada was brought back into the attack with the 2nd new ball and the youngster didn’t disappoint. It was a superb which ended the long vigil of Williamsom. The ball swung away from him late and Williamson edged it straight to Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. Mitchell Santer joined Watling and was dismissed cheaply after making 4 of 42 deliveries. Watling too fell shortly to left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj immediately after reaching his half-century.

Neil Wagner played some shots during his whirlwind innings of 32 of 32 deliveries which included 5 fours and 2 sixes. It also allowed the hosts to go past the South African total and secure a slender lead of 33 runs. South African openers Stephen Cook and centurion form the previous innings Dean Elgar began proceedings.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start losing Stephen Cook in the 4th delivery of the innings. It was a full and swinging delivery from New Zealand spearhead Trent Boult. Cook poked at it with minimal feet movement and managed to get a thin edge which was safely grabbed by the de Kock. Hashim Amla and Dean Elgar played some sensible cricket and ensured South Africa went to stumps without any further hiccups. While Amla was unbeaten on 23, Elgar was batting on 12.

Brief Scores

South Africa 1ST innings 308 all-out in 112.4 overs (Dean Elgar 140, Temba Bavuma 64, Trent Boult 4/64)

New Zealand 1st innings 341 all-out in 114.3 overs (Kane Williamson 130, BJ Watling 50, Keshav Maharaj 5/94)

South Africa 2nd innings 38/1 in 18 overs (Hashim Amla 23*, Dean Elgar 12*, Trent Boult 1/6)

South Africa lead by 5 runs with 9 wickets remaining