juhanbotha: South Africa amassing a mountain of runs

Sunday, January 13, 2013

South Africa amassing a mountain of runs

2nd Test: South Africa v New Zealand, Day 1

Faf du Plessis of South Africa plays to square leg
Image by: Duif du Toit / Gallo Images

Faf du Plessis was one run short of his second Test century as South Africa went to lunch at 390 for five on day two of the second Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

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In a slow morning session, the Proteas lost the wicket of Hashim Amla and added 65 runs after play got underway 15 minutes late due to some light rain.

Du Plessis was given one life, on 69, when the ball brushed his glove on the way through to the keeper, but the umpire gave him not out.

On 98, the ball almost trickled onto the leg-stump, and at 99 he was hit on the right glove. Du Plessis survived, however, and faced another 12 balls before lunch without scoring.

The damp conditions made it difficult for both batsmen and bowlers and Amla added just four more runs to his overnight tally before he was out. Seamer Trent Boult was rewarded with his first wicket of the match.

Bowling well at the start and trying to get the outside edge, Boult delivered his first loose ball which was full down leg-side.

Amla should have put it away but instead edged it through to BJ Watling behind the stumps. His 110 runs came off 235 balls with eight boundaries.

After Amla and Du Plessis shared a 113-run partnership for the fifth wicket, a more determined Dean Elgar came to the crease.

Playing in only his third Test, Elgar surpassed his highest score of 21 and played some classy shots which reached the boundary. At lunch he was unbeaten on 31.