South Africa 308 and 100 for 2 (Elgar 40*, Duminy 32*) lead New Zealand 341 by 67 runs
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Neil Wagner removed Hashim Amla early on the fourth day © Getty Images
On an overcast, chilly day in Dunedin New Zealand had a shocker with the DRS and catching to hit their hopes of creating a winning position. The wicket of Hashim Amla was a significant blow, but Dean Elgar and JP Duminy fought through to lunch – albeit with more than the odd moment of fortune – as South Africa sat on a 67-run lead.
The resumption was delayed by nearly 40 minutes due to morning drizzle then there was a brief stoppage for bad light (although no stoppages for fire alarms). While playing time can still be caught up with on the fourth day, the light appears likely to be an issue later in the afternoon while the forecast for Sunday remains indifferent.
New Zealand bowled well enough to have more inroads with both Trent Boult and Neil Wagner putting in lengthy opening spells. Boult should have had rewarded but JP Duminy, on 6, was given a life when Tom Latham put down a simple chance at first slip. Latham, currently in a barren run with the bat, was in that position because of the injury to Ross Taylor. Shortly before the break, Elgar was also given a reprieve on 35 when he edged James Neesham but BJ Watling could not gather the edge, diving low to his left.
The opening ball of the day from Boult hammered into Amla’s gloves, but it was Wagner who found early success, moments before the stoppage for bad light, when Amla fell to a leg-side trap, flicking to midwicket as his lean run in South Africa continued.
Boult then started to work over Duminy, squaring him up with a delivery which brought a strong appeal and a review for caught behind but it had brushed trouser rather than edge. Neesham, part of the appeal from slip, indicated he knew it was leg but the DRS had already been called for. Later on, in Jeetan Patel’s first over, Duminy would have been lbw had New Zealand reviewed and when they did review a shout in Patel’s following over it showed Kumar Dharmasena had been correct in spotting the inside edge. Back to the DRS drawing board for New Zealand.
Without a third frontline quick, Boult was given an eight-over spell and Wagner a nine; Williamson putting his eggs in the early-wickets basket. Neesham, used as first change, leaked 14 runs in his first three overs but should have claimed a vital pre-lunch scalp when, coming from round the wicket, he finally encouraged Elgar to prod at one outside off only for Watling to shell his second of the match. New Zealand’s chance may have slipped away.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo