Blackcaps v South Africa: New Zealand make early breakthrough on third day of Mt Maunganui test

Blackcaps medium-pace bowler Matt Henry has made grabbed two early wickets to have South Africa reeling on the third morning of their test at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.

Resuming with a 431-run first-innings lead and four Proteas batters already dismissed, New Zealand have consolidated their commanding position against the tourists, with Henry claiming two more scalps in the same over.

The South Africans had barely taken guard for the day, when David Bedingham - the most assured-looking of a raw batting line-up - skied Henry back towards the bowler, who stepped aside for Mitch Santner to make the catch.

Debutant Ruan de Swardt let his first delivery in test cricket pass and then left the second too, but was mortified to see the ball clip his front pad on its way to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Given out leg before wicket, he reviewed the decision, but the dismissal stood, as the Proteas fell to 83/6, needing another 228 runs just to avoid the follow-on.

New Zealand worked their way into a commanding position during the second day, when Rachin Ravindra converted his maiden test century into a double ton, eventually dismissed for 240.

Glen Phillips (39 off 42 balls) and Matt Henry (27 off nine) helped lift the ran rate late, before the home side were eventually dismissed for 511, with two hours to make inroads on the South African batting order.

Returning from a lengthy injury break, Kyle Jamieson took the prize scalps of Proteas captain Neil Brand and fellow debutant Raynard van Tonder two balls later to set the visitors on the back foot.

When opener Edward Moore and Zubayr Hamza fell before stumps, New Zealand were well on top, with three days remaining.   

NZ 511 (Ravindra 240, Williamson 118, Phillips 39; Brand 6/119) SA 83/6 (Bedingham 32, Moore 23; Henry 3/16)

NZ lead by 428

More to come

Blackcaps medium-pace bowler Matt Henry has made grabbed two early wickets to have South Africa reeling on the third morning of their test at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval.

Resuming with a 431-run first-innings lead and four Proteas batters already dismissed, New Zealand have consolidated their commanding position against the tourists, with Henry claiming two more scalps in the same over.

The South Africans had barely taken guard for the day, when David Bedingham - the most assured-looking of a raw batting line-up - skied Henry back towards the bowler, who stepped aside for Mitch Santner to make the catch.

Debutant Ruan de Swardt let his first delivery in test cricket pass and then left the second too, but was mortified to see the ball clip his front pad on its way to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Given out leg before wicket, he reviewed the decision, but the dismissal stood, as the Proteas fell to 83/6, needing another 228 runs just to avoid the follow-on.

New Zealand worked their way into a commanding position during the second day, when Rachin Ravindra converted his maiden test century into a double ton, eventually dismissed for 240.

Glen Phillips (39 off 42 balls) and Matt Henry (27 off nine) helped lift the ran rate late, before the home side were eventually dismissed for 511, with two hours to make inroads on the South African batting order.

Returning from a lengthy injury break, Kyle Jamieson took the prize scalps of Proteas captain Neil Brand and fellow debutant Raynard van Tonder two balls later to set the visitors on the back foot.

When opener Edward Moore and Zubayr Hamza fell before stumps, New Zealand were well on top, with three days remaining.   

NZ 511 (Ravindra 240, Williamson 118, Phillips 39; Brand 6/119) SA 83/6 (Bedingham 32, Moore 23; Henry 3/16)

NZ lead by 428

More to come

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