NZ V SA 1st Test: Williamson gritty after bowlers strike; New Zealand in strong position

Photo: AP

Dunedin, New Zealand: Kane Williamson played a gritty knock of 78 after his bowlers orchestrated a collapse on South Africa as New Zealand got their nose ahead in the first Test after an eventful second day.

When stumps were drawn, New Zealand was 177/3, trailing South Africa by 131 runs after the tourists were bowled out for 308 following a lower order batting collapse.

The New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was 78 not out at the close, having shared a 102-run second wicket partnership with Jeet Raval (52), then a tense fourth wicket stand with nightwatchman Jeetan Patel (9 not out).

The Proteas started the day in a strong position at 229/4, with Dean Elgar unbeaten on 128 and Temba Bavuma on 38, but lost their last six wickets for just 56 runs to be dismissed for 308 shortly after lunch at University Oval.

Elgar posted his highest test score of 140 and Bavuma made 64 before Trent Boult (4/64) and Neil Wagner (3/88) combined to mop up the tail.

Elgar added 12 runs in 50 minutes to his overnight score of 128, passing his previous best of 129, before falling to his former schoolboy rival Wagner.

Wagner, who was born in South Africa and frequently played against Elgar in high school matches, dismissed Elgar with a short ball that caught the edge and flew to New Zealand wicketkeeper B.J Watling.

Bavuma reached his fifth half century in Tests from 143 balls in just over three hours and looked likely to take over the anchor role before falling to Boult in sight of lunch, gloving a legside catch to Watling.

"It was hard graft this morning and obviously we got a few rewards for it later on," Wagner said.. "It was harder graft again over the bat and obviously good cricket all round.

"I thought South Africa batted well yesterday and batted well this morning again, but as bowlers, we stuck at it and kept fighting. Finally we got a couple of breakthroughs and things started happening for us."

South Africa made a strong start with the ball in hand when Vernon Philander dismissed New Zealand opener Tom Latham for 10 in a superb opening spell but Williamson and Raval then dug in to rebuild the New Zealand innings.

The partnership ended when Raval was caught by Elgar off Keshav Maharaj, triggering a dramatic last hour as the shadows started to creep across the ground.

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