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April 17, 2006, 19:00
A superb 97 by AB de Villiers brought South Africa back into the game on the third day of the first Castle Lager Test against New Zealand at Supersport Park today. At stumps, South Africa had 280 for nine, and an overall lead of 229 runs.
South Africa had a disastrous start to their second innings, losing three wickets before they had wiped out their 51 run first innings deficit. Graeme Smith (7), Herschelle Gibbs (2) and Boeta Dippenaar all went out before lunch.
Ashwell Prince and Jacques Kallis did much to restore some stability to the innings, with a fourth wicket partnership of 31, before Prince was caught behind by Brendon McCullum off James Franklin for 11. Kallis and De Villiers put on 67 for the fifth wicket, but then Stephen Fleming brought Scott Styris into the attack, and Kallis, who had been looking masterful, tried to hook a shot but skied it to Vettori and had to go back to the dressing room on 62.
De Villiers and Mark Boucher shared a vital partnership of 54 off 97 balls before Boucher played on to a Kyle Mills delivery to see his wicket shattered. He had made 21 runs, including three boundaries.
Thirty-six runs came off the first four overs
Shaun Pollock made 10 runs before he was out lbw to Daniel Vettori, but De Villiers and Nicky Boje shared a whirlwind 65 run partnership. Their half century partnership came up off just 61 balls - the fastest 50 in the innings, and they really climbed into the New Zealand attack when Fleming introduced the second new ball. Thirty-six runs came off the first four overs with the new ball, and saw De Villiers within sight of his fourth Test innings.
He faced eight balls with his score on 97, but finally played a false shot, which was neatly pouched by Franklin in the covers. Had he reached his century, it would have been his second in front of his home crowd, and his innings today would have put pain to many of the critics who have called for him to be dropped.
His experience as an opener helped him to deal competently with the new ball, and his new position, at number six, seems to be ideally suited to him.
Hard work needed from Proteas to achieve a one-nil lead
Boje went in the next over, caught behind by McCullum for 31. He had played a lovely cameo innings, and had backed De Villiers superbly. His score included five fours and a magnificent six. At close of play, Dale Steyn was not out on five and Makhaya Ntini had yet to face a ball.
New Zealand have never scored more than 164 in a fourth innings to win a match away from home, and South Africa will be reasonably confident of their ability to win the first test. But New Zealand have also shown their grittiness, and the Proteas will have to make the best possible use of the new ball tomorrow if they are to take a one-nil lead in the three Test series. - Sapa
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