Day Five
There was a familiar feeling to day five in Durban, as both sets of players again turned up to Kingsmead Stadium with the sun shining, but no real chance of play.
The waterlogged ground was still struggling to recover in patches and the umpires called the captains and the coaches together for a chat at 9.30am, where it was agreed to abandon play and declare the match a draw.
Both sides indicated their willingness to play, but respected the officials' decision, which was made with player safety the priority.
The BLACKCAPS will fly to Pretoria on Wednesday to prepare for Saturday's second Test, which now looms as a chance for New Zealand to claim their first ever Test series victory over South Africa.
Day Four
Another frustrating day for players, officials and fans alike as Kingsmead Stadium remained unplayable for the fourth day of the first Test.
Certain areas around the boundary were still heavily waterlogged from the weekend's rain and the field was deemed too unsafe by the umpires, who finally abandoned play at 2 o'clock after several inspections.
The players will return tomorrow for day five seeking only morale victories with the BLACKCAPS resuming on 15 for two and captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the wicket.
Day Three
Heavy downpours overnight left Kingsmead stadium in Durban water logged for day three of the second Test and despite the sun shining most of the day, the pitch remained unplayable. Team management monitored the situation at the venue as ground staff worked tirelessly to dry the surface.
At 2.30 in the afternoon, play was abandoned for the day with the area around the boundaries still too sodden to be deemed safe.
The weather forecast from here is fine and the players will return on Monday for a 10am start local time, in the hope of making a game of it.
New Zealand will resume at 15 for two with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease as they respond to South Africa's first innings total of 263.
Day Two
BLACKCAPS 15-2 trail South Africa 263 (Amla 53, Boult 3-80, Wagner 3-47) by 258 runs
Rain washed out the majority of day two of the first Test at Kingsmead, but not before the BLACKCAPS claimed the final two South African wickets and lost two of their own in response.
After a delayed start to play, a rearguard 32 from Kagiso Rabada lifted the hosts to 263 all out in their first innings with Neil Wagner (3 for 47), Trent Boult (3 for 53) and Mitchell Santner (2 for 22) the leading wicket takers.
In response, South African quicks Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander manipulated conditions beautifully to make things particular tough for the BLACKCAPS batsmen.
When a combination of bad light and inclement weather stopped play just before lunch, Steyn had dismissed both openers to leave the visitors teetering at 15 for two.
No further play would take place as thunder storms rolled in during the afternoon.
Captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor will resume for the BLACKCAPS on day three, which could well see another delayed start with more overnight rain forecast.
Day One
South Africa 236-8 (Amla 53, Bavuma 46, Wagner 3-47, Santner 2-22)
Overview:
Hard graft and a spectacular Kane Williamson catch have given the BLACKCAPS plenty to be pleased with at stumps on day one of the first Test at Kingsmead.
Having lost the toss and been asked to bowl, Williamson’s men reduced South Africa to 236-8 through an impressive allround bowling performance.
It wasn’t until the 14th over that the BLACKCAPS made the first break through, with Boult deservedly finding the edge of Stephen Cook.
The BLACKCAPS continued to take wickets at opportune times, but it took something magnificent from Williamson to send opposite skipper Faf du Plessis back to the shed. Having been struck for four the delivery beforehand, Wagner pitched one full and outside of off-stump. Du Plessis went to guide it to the third-man boundary, but a full length dive and outstretched hand of Williamson plucked it from the air.
The visitors surrounded their skipper in celebrations and then hammered home their advantage with three further wickets, with Wagner and Mitchell Santner leading the way.
BLACKCAPS hunting two more wickets tomorrow morning.
Lunch: SA 94-2
Tea: SA 146-4
Stumps: 236-8
Numbers:
7 – the level of excitement Williamson showed after taking his miracle catch. Rarely goes above five.
10 – the number of runs scored by South Africa in the 10 overs before tea
100 – de Kock’s strike rate before being dismissed
142 – The fastest ball bowled today by the BLACKCAPS (Trent Boult)
424 – the number of balls before the BLACKCAPS conceded their first extra – four leg byes off Rabada’s helmet from a Neil Wagner bouncer.
Quirk:
Well if anyone at the ground was bored, they always had the option of going to the Umgani end where there was a massage tent ready to get rid of any kinks or knots spectators might have. Test cricket and a rub – relaxation defined.
Blood, sweat and tears:
The South Africa captain Faf du Plessis didn’t look at all comfortable during the second session, making one run from 30 balls. Credit to the skipper though, he survived that tough patch to safely navigate his side through to team, before Williamson ended his knock with the aforementioned stunner.
Shot of the day:
Most bowlers target the invisible fourth stump line, but to Amla that doesn’t always work. The classy number three drove the ball off that dangerous line numerous times, flying to 50 at nearly a run a ball. It was that same line that eventually saw him dismissed, so there’s still something to be said for targeting that fourth stump
Ball of the day:
Trent Boult was excellent all day with the ball, bowling 140kmph with extreme accuracy. The cherry to get rid of Hashim Amla was his piece de resistance though, shaping in and getting the softest of edges just outside the off-stump. Takes a good delivery to get rid of Amla and Boult certainly produced one.
One reason Test cricket isn’t boring:
Kane Williamson’s catch. Already a lock to appear on classic catches in the future.
Quote:
“He’s done it before and he’s just such a gun fielder for us. Wherever he field he’s world-class” - Neil Wagner on Kane Williamson’s catch.
