The deadly trio of Southee,Wagner and Boult restricted South Africa to 236 for 8 at the end of day 1. It was all about New Zealand as their bowlers were hitting the perfect length and troubled the African batsman.Even without their skipper AB De Villiers South Africa looked solid on paper. But the Kiwi bowlers were too good for the Proteas.
Stephen Cook and Dean Elagar were put through a tough phase as the Kiwi bowlers were swinging from both the ends. Both the openers managed to survive for the first hour. Their were some close calls too as both the batsman were beaten for quite a number of times. The first breakthrough came from Trent Boult. Cook was stuck inside the crease and became a victim to late swing. It was a unplayable delivery even to a world-class batsman. This breakthrough triggered a collapse as wickets started to tumble like a bunch of mangoes.
Elgar’s misery was put to an end by Bracewell. The elegant opener was tempted to a ball wide outside off. The edge found Guptill at second slip. The Proteas were in a spot of bother. Amla and Duminy stitched together a 50 run partnership which revived South Africa from a precarious position. In the process Amla brought up his fifty. His innings was filled with some classy cover drives pleasing the eyes of the spectators. The partnership was finally broken as Neil Wagner set up Duminy with a short delivery. Amla too followed his partner by nicking one-off from Boult. South Africa were 4 down for just 106.
Du Plessis along with Temba bavuma did the repair work. The stand-in skipper looked more comfortable and was looking to get a big one. Unfortunately due to some brilliance in the field by his counterpart Kane Williamson, Du Plessis departed. The New Zealand skipper held on to a one-handed catch at gully. The Proteas slipped further as all hopes now were rested on Bavuma and De kock.
The stylish left handed played some delightful strokes before throwing his wicket away. Bavuma along with the help of tailenders showed some resistance before falling victim to Mitchell Santner. Now everything rests on Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn to add some valuable runs to their innings.Trent Boult,Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner were among the wicket takers while Southee took only 1. At the end of the day South Africa finished with 236 for the loss of 8 wickets.