(UTV | NEW ZEALAND) – Henry Nicholls (105) compiled his eighth Test hundred.
Henry Nicholls (105) compiled his eighth Test hundred while Tom Blundell and Colin de Grandhomme made useful contributions as New Zealand stretched the lead to 261 at Tea on Day 2 of the opening Test versus South Africa.
Despite finding themselves well behind in the game, the visitors had started the second session on a better note with Glenton Stuurman tempting Daryll Mitchell to drive at an outswinger, only for the all-rounder to edge one to the cordon. Nicholls then completed his eighth Test ton by cracking one through the point region. However, the southpaw lost his concentration as he soon drove one off Duanne Olivier to the slip cordon. Meanwhile, South Africa would rue the fact that Nicholls was dropped twice on Day 1.
At that juncture, de Grandhomme joined forces with Blundell to share a crucial stand of 76, which more or less shut the door on South Africa’s chances of making a comeback. Blundell cracked drives, alongside the pull and glance. De Grandhomme also took the aggressive route as Olivier and Stuurman continued to leak runs. For a while it felt as if New Zealand wouldn’t lose another wicket before Tea break. Just that De Grandhomme tried one shot too many and fell to Aiden Markram’s part-time off-spin.
Blundell and Kyle Jamieson then steered the side to the break. Incidentally, the hosts had also dominated the first session to put the pressure on South Africa’s bowlers. The nighwatchman, Neil Wagner in particular played with freedom as the visiting side’s bowlers sprayed it around. The highlight of Wagner innings was the way he cracked an imperious pull off Stuurman over deep backward square leg.
Nicholls also looked busy at the crease, essaying the occasional on drive and cut. Stuurman and Rabada were the two bowlers who came in for some severe punishment. Rabada did beat Wagner a few times but he also ended up offering width, alongside bowling no-balls. Eventually, against the run of play, Wagner lofted one off Rabada straight into the hands of the fielder at deep square leg. But by then enough damage was done. Nicholls and Mitchell just rammed home the advantage with another useful stand before the Lunch break.
Olivier has been arguably the best bowler of the lot for South Africa. Although he too hasn’t been able to bowl with control. South Africa have also dropped four catches in this innings so far.
Brief scores: New Zealand 356/7 (Henry Nicholls 105; Duanne Olivier 3-84) lead South Africa 95 (Zubayr Hamza 25; Matt Henry 7-23) by 261 runs.