New Zealand wilted in the face of aggressive fast bowling from South Africa, as Dale Steyn continued his fine form with 4 for 42. From 84 for 1, they collapsed - literally, in the case of Craig Cumming - to 187 for 8.
It was another depressing day for New Zealand on a tour that has swung from one calamity to another. Without Jacob Oram, the towering allrounder and lacking the spearheading pace of Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori had little option other than to bat first, even on a pitch which had South Africa's bowlers salivating with glee. With a greenish tinge and crazy-paving cracks, it was made for Steyn and Makhaya Ntini.
They fell into the trap of bowling too short, however, and after the early wicket of Michael Papps, Cumming and Lou Vincent - who was drafted in to replace Oram - began to rebuild the team's confidence with a solid stand of 62. Vincent's counter-attack appeared rather reckless - fours slashed over point rather than creamed through the covers - but in the face of adversity, it was precisely what New Zealand needed. As can happen with South Africa, their shoulders dropped quickly and they went to lunch kicking their heels.
Whatever the Centurion chef served agreed with Steyn and Andre Nel in particular. After lunch, they mixed up their lengths impressively and, if anything, the pitch was quicker too. A ferociously quick bouncer from Steyn unsettled Vincent in the second over after lunch; Vincent attempted to hook him the very next delivery but found Paul Harris circling at square leg.
Cumming appeared to have the measure of the pitch and the length of the bowlers, too, thumping Ntini on the up over the covers and teaching his fallen team-mates the benefits of patience. But he had to leave the field after being struck a horrible, bloodying blow on the face while trying to pull Steyn. It was a terrific bouncer - fast, aggressive and straight - and simply too quick for Cumming, the ball jarring against the grill and flooring him.
No comments:
Post a Comment