NZ in command as South Africa's top order crumbles

New Zealand's bowlers ran through South Africa's top order after taking a 175-run lead in the first innings to put the hosts in a solid position in the third Test in Hamilton. Unlike what was predicted, there was no rain interruption through the day, enabling a smooth passage of play, which included half an hour of an early start and another half an hour extension in the final session on Tuesday March 28).

Resuming Day 4 on 321 for 4, a lead of seven runs, New Zealand began cautiously. The overnight duo of Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner played out the first couple of hours, extending their partnership to 88 runs before the skipper got out while pulling Morne Morkel to Vernon Philander at long leg, ending a fine innings on 178.

The hosts managed to add only 76 runs in the first session, where Santner and BJ Watling refused to attack the bowlers. However, with the former departing at the stroke of Lunch and the latter getting out soon after the first session break, Colin de Grandhomme decided to take on the bowling.

Even as the lower order didn't add too much to the scoreboard, they hung around for a decent time to allow Grandhomme to do the damage. The all-rounder hit JP Duminy twice into the stands in successive overs and raced to his half-century. He was the last batsman to be dismissed when he gloved a pull off Morkel to the wickekeeper. Even as Morkel and Kagiso Rabada bagged four wickets each, they had conceded over 100 runs each and allowed New Zealand to post 489 in the first innings.

Coming into bat again in the post-Tea session, New Zealand's bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals. Dean Elgar was the first to depart when he poked at a delivery that nipped off the seam and gave the wicketkeeper an easy catch. His opening partner Theunis de Bryun did manage to register his first run in Test cricket, but departed soon after. He and Hashim Amla got into a mid-pitch collision with both the batsmen looking at the fielder. While Amla fell on the ground, de Bryun was stranded and eventually run out.

The veteran duo of Amla and JP Duminy looked to consolidate the innings, but both fell in quick succession after putting on a 24-run stand. To complicate matters, Temba Bavuma too didn't last long as he looked to go for an ambitious drive off Matt Henry off his 11th ball only to edge it to the wicketkeeper, and reduce South Africa to 59 for 5.

Faf du Plessis and Quinton De Kock added 21 runs before Stumps were called, and the deficit was reduced to 95.

With only a day's play left, and if weather permits a full day's play, South Africa need a major turnaround. Du Plessis has been in similar situations several times in the past and bailed his team out successfully. De Kock is no stranger to changing fortunes of his side after a top order collapse. The lower order too has enough credentials with the bat. An exciting day of play awaits at the Seddon Park as the hosts look to square the series and end their home summer on a high.

Brief Scores: South Africa 314 & 80/5 (Hashim Amla 19; Jeetan Patel 2-22) trail New Zealand 489 (Kane Williamson 170, Jeet Raval 88; Morne Morkel 4-100, Kagiso Rabada 4-122) by 95 runs.