Image Credit- AFP
On the second day in Hamilton, Dane Piedt, playing his
first Test since 2019, scored his highest numbers in the format to put South
Africa ahead. South Africa scored 242 runs, and New Zealand crumbled to 211
thanks to an offspinner Piedt’s 5 for 89. At one point, New Zealand had a lead
of 31, but they lost their final seven wickets in a span of 68 runs.
After a seven-over period bowled either side of tea,
fast bowler Tshepo Moreki dismissed Rachin Ravindra to start the match.
Ravindra, who is left-handed, went for the cut and managed to get an inside
edge on his leg stump when he slanted one across him.
Tom Blundell played on as the fourth batter of the day
a few moments later. His defensive move against Dane Paterson was not timely;
the ball struck the bat’s back and veered onto the stumps.
Glenn Phillips was then fired by Piedt, who had
earlier removed Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. It was a significant offbreak.
After the batter received an inside edge on his pad, Clyde Fortuin, the
wicketkeeper, seized the opportunity.
For the first time in his Test career, Will Young was
batting at number five. But he lost patience when wickets were falling at the
other end. He leaped to his right and holed out to the left of Piedt.
When Tim Southee edged one to first slip, Piedt might
have had his sixth, but Shaun von Berg was unable to hold onto a slim
opportunity. Ultimately, Southee gave up five points to Paterson.
Matt Henry was run out due to a misunderstanding,
leaving New Zealand 183 for 9, still 59 behind. But before Piedt had him
dismissed to clinch his second five-for in Test cricket, Neil Wagner scorched
33 off 27 to cut into the margin.