By BV Swagath
New Zealand are staring at a third day defeat in the First Test against the Proteas at Newlands in Cape Town. The Kiwis who were bundled out for a paltry 45 on Day 1 ended the second day’s play at 169 for 4 in their second innings. This was after South Africa’s declaration with a first innings total of 347 for 8. By the close of Day 2, the Kiwis are still facing a deficit of 133 runs.
South Africa resuming Day 2 at 252 for 3 didn’t waste much time and declared its first innings in the afternoon session itself. Wicket Keeper batsman AB de Villliers scored a patient 67 from 129 balls while overnight centurion Alviro Petersen could add only three runs to his overnight score of 103. For the Kiwis, Trent Boult and Chris Martin picked up three wickets each.
New Zealand began their second innings on a disastrous note with Martin Guptill falling for a duck in the first over to Dale Steyn and then losing Kane Williamson cheaply to Jacques Kallis. Skipper Brendon McCullum scored 51 (from 103 balls with 7 fours) while Dean Brownlie scored 69* to ensure that the Kiwis survived the day. Brownlie counter attacked the Proteas and got his fifty in just 44 balls. The Kiwis finished the second day’s play at 169 for 4 in 52 overs.