Steyn & Co wreck havoc as Proteas take 372-run lead

CENTURION: South Africa held on to a strong position despite a top order batting collapse in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New

CENTURION: South Africa held on to a strong position despite a top order batting collapse in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Monday.

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South Africa were 105 for six at the close, an overall lead of 372 runs on a pitch at Centurion’s Super Sport Park offering assistance to bowlers, with swing, seam and uneven bounce.

New Zealand hit back after conceding a first innings lead of 267, with Tim Southee and Trent Boult taking two wickets each to reduce South Africa to 47 for four. Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner also picked up wickets, with only Quinton de Kock shining for the South Africans, with his second half-century of the match.

South Africa’s three-pronged pace attack was mainly responsible for New Zealand being bowled out for 214 in their first innings.

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each and Vernon Philander claimed two.

Only captain Kane Williamson was able to provide sustained resistance for New Zealand. He was last man out for 77. He batted for 286 minutes and faced 133 balls in an innings which included eight fours and a six.