Related Links : New Zealand’s Tour of South Africa : Scorecard
New Zealand are facing an inevitable heavy defeat in the first test at the Wanderers on the fourth day. The Black Caps had a rough third day in which they were punished by a massive partnership between Hashim Amla (176 not out from 378 balls with 24 fours) and Jacques Kallis (186 from 262 balls with 25 fours and 3 sixes).
South Africa who were already in a strong position of 179 for 2 when they started off the third day’s play didn’t lose a single wicket in the first session. By lunch, they were 287 for 2 with Kallis dominating an incomplete Kiwi attack that was stuck with injuries to score 151 while Amla was steady with his 108. Kallis’s was the only wicket to fall in the day’s play for the Proteas after he was caught by the keeper off Oram. The Amla-Kallis was worth 330 runs for the third wicket which is the new record for any wicket for SA against NZ. Graeme Smith declared the innings at 422 for 3 (in 126 overs) leaving a target of 531 for the Kiwis. Ashwell Prince helped himself with an unbeaten but a rather slow 25 that took 85 balls before the declaration.
New Zealand are already in trouble losing three wickets by the close of the third day. Andre Nel has struck twin blows in the 10th over to dismiss Stephen Fleming and Ross Taylor while Craig Cumming was earlier nailed by Dale Steyn. At stumps on the third day, Kiwis have Scott Styris on 16 and Brendon McCullum on 11.