Brownlie holds up Proteas
Dean Brownlie’s defiant unbeaten half-century provided some New Zealand resistance on day two, but South Africa remain in charge of the first Test at Newlands.
Vernon Philander’s 5-7 had seen the tourists skittled for just 45 on the opening morning, but, after the hosts resumed on 252 for three, there was an early fightback from the Black Caps this morning.
Yet AB de Villiers compiled a useful half-century as the Proteas took their first-innings advantage past 300 before declaring, and New Zealand were 169 for four by the close - still 133 in arrears and with an innings defeat not out of the question.
Centurion Alviro Petersen added just three to his overnight score before departing for 106, bowled by Trent Boult.
Jacques Kallis celebrates the wicket of Kane Williamson en route to figures of 2-19 as South Africa continued to boss New Zealand on day two
Francois du Plessis had made 15 when he became the second wicket to fall this morning, Kane Williamson taking the catch off Chris Martin’s bowling.
De Villiers and Dean Elgar then extended the home side’s advantage with a 54-run partnership, but, when they fell to Martin and Boult - the former also sending Robin Peterson back to the pavilion for five - Proteas captain Graeme Smith opted to declare on 347 for eight, a lead of 302.
Boult and Martin were the pick of the New Zealand attack with three wickets apiece, but there efforts were somewhat overshadowed by Philander’s exploits a day earlier.
Dale Steyn then took the wicket of Martin Guptill with the last ball of the opening over of New Zealand’s second innings before a run had been scored, and Williamson had added only 15 when he was dismissed by Jacques Kallis.
After two days dominated by the seamers, spinner Peterson got in on the act with the crucial wicket of Brendan McCullum for 51 to leave the Kiwis 118 for three, and Daniel Flynn also went cheaply; he made 14 before edging Kallis to de Villiers behind the stumps, the wicketkeeper taking a good catch diving to his right.
Brownlie, twice dropped in the gully on 23, was given out caught behind by Rob Tucker off a Steyn short ball when he had 64, but the decision was correctly overturned on review - the ball flicked the batsman’s ribs rather than glove on the way through.
He survived to the close on 69 not out, with wicketkeeper BJ Watling providing support at the other end.
