Cricket: Blackcaps strike early after overnight declaration in first test against South Africa

The Blackcaps have opened day four of the first test against South Africa by sending their opponents back to the crease at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

New Zealand closed day three at 179/4 in their second innings for a mammoth lead of 529, which they've decided is sufficient advantage to declare overnight.

Kane Williamson backed up his 118 on day one with 109, marking the first time in first-class cricket that the NZ batting great had scored centuries in each innings of a match.

The Blackcaps made the ideal start to their push for victory, with Tim Southee collecting captain Neil Brand's offstump in the second over of the day to immediately put the tourists on the backfoot.

Matt Henry struck in the following over to reduce the Proteas to 5/2, snaring Edward Moore, caught by Devon Conway, to leave the South Africans a mountain to climb to avoid defeat.

NZ 511 (Ravindra 240, Williamson 118, Phillips 39; Brand 6/119) & 179/4 declared (Williamson 109, Conway 29; Brand 2/52) South Africa 162 (Peterson 45, Bedingham 32, Moore 23; Henry 3/31, Santner 3/34) & 5/2

NZ lead by 523 runs

More to come

The Blackcaps have opened day four of the first test against South Africa by sending their opponents back to the crease at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

New Zealand closed day three at 179/4 in their second innings for a mammoth lead of 529, which they've decided is sufficient advantage to declare overnight.

Kane Williamson backed up his 118 on day one with 109, marking the first time in first-class cricket that the NZ batting great had scored centuries in each innings of a match.

The Blackcaps made the ideal start to their push for victory, with Tim Southee collecting captain Neil Brand's offstump in the second over of the day to immediately put the tourists on the backfoot.

Matt Henry struck in the following over to reduce the Proteas to 5/2, snaring Edward Moore, caught by Devon Conway, to leave the South Africans a mountain to climb to avoid defeat.

NZ 511 (Ravindra 240, Williamson 118, Phillips 39; Brand 6/119) & 179/4 declared (Williamson 109, Conway 29; Brand 2/52) South Africa 162 (Peterson 45, Bedingham 32, Moore 23; Henry 3/31, Santner 3/34) & 5/2

NZ lead by 523 runs

More to come

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.