Proteas build their lead on day three
Despite a collapse amongst their batsmen in their second innings, South Africa's cricket team still has a solid lead at the end of day three in their second Test against New Zealand in Centurion.
With a strong lead South Africa was in control of matters at the end of the third day in their second test against New Zealand at SuperSport Park in Centurion.
With two full days left to play the Proteas ended day three on 105/6 to stretch their lead to 372. They will probably come back to bat for another session (if they could hold out) on Tuesday before Faf du Plessis will likely declare. Then they will have two sessions and a whole day to dismiss the Black Caps and win the match.
Although nothing is impossible, the visitors will struggle to pass the South African’s score. History is also against them, because the biggest total that was ever achieved in the fourth innings of a test match at SuperSport Park to win was 251.
New Zealand resumed their innings on Monday morning on 38/3 but they kept on struggling against the South African bowling attack. They were eventually bowled out for 214 runs, which meant they had a first innings deficit of 267 runs.
However, Faf du Plessis decided not to let the Black Caps follow up. He decided that his team will go out to start their second innings. This strategy almost boomeranged when nearly the whole top order of the Proteas lost their wickets in the first hour after they started batting.
Cook (4) was first to go. He was followed almost immediately by Amla (1) and Duminy (0), who lost their wickets in the scope of a few balls.
Faf du Plessis (6) was next and he was followed by Stian van Zyl (5). Luckily Quinton de Kock persevered longer than all his top order teammates and went on to get his fourth half ton in test cricket. Shortly after he reached 50 he also had to walk back to the pavilion.
At the end of the day’s play South Africa was on 105/6. This, in itself, is a poor score, but if their score in the first innings is added to this total, the Proteas will have a lead of 372 runs when play starts at 10:00 on Tuesday.
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