South Africa made light of the grim weather as they cruised to 246-2 on the second day of the weather-affected third and final Test against New Zealand on Saturday. Alviro Peterson, who struggled for runs in the first two Tests, found the Basin Reserve pitch in Wellington to his liking as he moved to 96 not out and closed in on his third Test century, while JP Duminy was on 76.
The pair had put on 140 for the third wicket when bad light stopped play for the second consecutive day with only 79 of a possible 180 overs bowled in the first two days. South Africa, who already have an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the three-Test series, were clearly intent on batting their way to an imposing total with the aim of dismissing New Zealand cheaply and enforcing the follow on. The tourists resumed the second day at 136-2 and put on 110 runs without loss in the 37 overs available after rain wiped out the morning session.
The New Zealand bowlers have been unable to benefit from the favourable fierce wind, overcast skies and a green-tinged wicket and the fielders were incapable of taking the few chances on offer as the batsmen dominated. Petersen offered two edges through the vacant third slip position but Martin Guptill, diving from second slip, was unable to grasp either one.
Otherwise Petersen looked comfortable with senior bowler Chris Martin unable to generate significant swing or garner extreme pace from the tail wind. Duminy had little trouble finding gaps in the New Zealand field, although he brought up his fourth half-century with a wayward shot that that was intended for square leg but went behind wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.
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Scoreboard South Africa 1st innings
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G. Smith c van Wyk b Bracewell 5
A. Petersen not out 96
H. Amla c van Wyk b Gillespie 63
JP Duminy not out 76
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Extras: (b 2, w 2, nb 2) 6
Total: (2 wkts; 79 overs) 246
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To bat: AB de Villiers, J. Rudolph, M. Boucher, D. Steyn, V. Philander, M. Morkel, M. de Lange
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-106
Bowling: Martin 15-3-49-0, Bracewell 17-3-46-1 (1w), Gillespie 20-4-68-1 (1nb, 1w), Vettori 20-6-49-0, Brownlie 2-0-20-0, Williamson 5-0-12-0
Toss: New Zealand
Series: South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK), Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
TV umpire: Billy Doctrove (WIS)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI).
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