OMEN
04-18-2006, 10:03 AM
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De Villiers collects runs into the off-side
First Test Match
Centurion Park
South Africa 276 (H H Dippenaar 52, J E C Franklin 4-75, K D Mills 4-43) & 280-9 (A B de Villiers 97, J H Kallis 62) v New Zealand 327 (J D P Oram 133, D L Vettori 81, M Ntini 5-94)
Abraham de Villiers struck 97 to keep South Africa's hopes alive in the first Test against New Zealand at Centurion Park.
The 22-year-old right-hander hit 13 fours from 161 balls, but missed a deserved century when he carved Jacob Oram's medium pace to cover late in the day.
The Proteas ended the third day on 280-9, a lead of 229 and, with the pitch offering plenty of assistance for seam bowling, will fancy their chances on the final two days.
New Zealand's collection of medium pacers exploited the helpful conditions and all picked up a wicket, but on several occasions failed to drive home their position of strength.
Stephen Fleming's men will be disappointed not to be chasing a fourth innings target of less than 200, after having South Africa on the ropes at 73-4 and then 205-7.
The hosts started the third day on 4-0 in their second innings, but with a first innings deficit of 51 still had a mountain to climb.
And things were looking bleak after the early loss of both openers - skipper Graeme Smith (7) trapped plumb lbw by Chris Martin (1-59) in familiar fashion and Herschelle Gibbs (2) caught off James Franklin (2-60).
The ball was swinging round corners during the morning session and some inconsistent bounce added a further element of difficulty for the batsmen.
Boeta Dippenaar (16) was caught at slip off Oram (2-45) and Ashwell Prince (11) also failed to come to terms with the situation before edging Franklin behind.
At this stage, South Africa were 73-4 and staring down the barrel, but once again Jacques Kallis used his exemplary technique to drag his side out of trouble.
Kallis made a painstaking 62 and shared a 67-run fifth-wicket stand with de Villiers as the batting conditions eased during the afternoon, but then gave his wicket away with a top edged pull off part-time medium pacer Scott Styris (1-3).
But good lower order contributions from Mark Boucher (21) and Nicky Boje (31) supported de Villiers' efforts during the evening session, and South Africa now have plenty of time left to secure what had earlier looked an unlikely victory.
"AB (de Villiers) played fantastically," said Kallis at the close of play press conference.
"He had to absorb (the pressure) up front and then he kicked on and played very positively.
On the situation of the game, Kallis added: "I'd rather be in our seat than theirs.”
Skysports
De Villiers collects runs into the off-side
First Test Match
Centurion Park
South Africa 276 (H H Dippenaar 52, J E C Franklin 4-75, K D Mills 4-43) & 280-9 (A B de Villiers 97, J H Kallis 62) v New Zealand 327 (J D P Oram 133, D L Vettori 81, M Ntini 5-94)
Abraham de Villiers struck 97 to keep South Africa's hopes alive in the first Test against New Zealand at Centurion Park.
The 22-year-old right-hander hit 13 fours from 161 balls, but missed a deserved century when he carved Jacob Oram's medium pace to cover late in the day.
The Proteas ended the third day on 280-9, a lead of 229 and, with the pitch offering plenty of assistance for seam bowling, will fancy their chances on the final two days.
New Zealand's collection of medium pacers exploited the helpful conditions and all picked up a wicket, but on several occasions failed to drive home their position of strength.
Stephen Fleming's men will be disappointed not to be chasing a fourth innings target of less than 200, after having South Africa on the ropes at 73-4 and then 205-7.
The hosts started the third day on 4-0 in their second innings, but with a first innings deficit of 51 still had a mountain to climb.
And things were looking bleak after the early loss of both openers - skipper Graeme Smith (7) trapped plumb lbw by Chris Martin (1-59) in familiar fashion and Herschelle Gibbs (2) caught off James Franklin (2-60).
The ball was swinging round corners during the morning session and some inconsistent bounce added a further element of difficulty for the batsmen.
Boeta Dippenaar (16) was caught at slip off Oram (2-45) and Ashwell Prince (11) also failed to come to terms with the situation before edging Franklin behind.
At this stage, South Africa were 73-4 and staring down the barrel, but once again Jacques Kallis used his exemplary technique to drag his side out of trouble.
Kallis made a painstaking 62 and shared a 67-run fifth-wicket stand with de Villiers as the batting conditions eased during the afternoon, but then gave his wicket away with a top edged pull off part-time medium pacer Scott Styris (1-3).
But good lower order contributions from Mark Boucher (21) and Nicky Boje (31) supported de Villiers' efforts during the evening session, and South Africa now have plenty of time left to secure what had earlier looked an unlikely victory.
"AB (de Villiers) played fantastically," said Kallis at the close of play press conference.
"He had to absorb (the pressure) up front and then he kicked on and played very positively.
On the situation of the game, Kallis added: "I'd rather be in our seat than theirs.”
Skysports