Stumps New Zealand 211 and 40 for 1 (Latham 21*, Conway 17, Piedt 1-3) path South Africa 242 and 235 (Bedingham 110, Petersen 43, O’Rourke 5-34, Philips 2-50) by 227 runs
Will O’Rourke’s five-wicket haul on Take a look at debut helped New Zealand come roaring again into the competition after David Bedingham’s elegant hundred on day three of the second Take a look at in Hamilton. From 202 for 4, South Africa misplaced the final six wickets for simply 33 runs within the remaining session to set New Zealand a goal of 267.
At stumps, New Zealand have been 40 for 1, having misplaced Devon Conway off what turned out to be the final ball of the day, from Dane Piedt. With New Zealand needing an additional 227 runs and South Africa 9 wickets to win, the competition is evenly poised heading into day 4.
If New Zealand do chase this down, it should turn out to be the best profitable chase at Seddon Park, eclipsing the 210-run goal mowed down by Australia in 2000.
New Zealand started the day nicely by hanging early, two falling to O’Rourke in his morning spell and one to Rachin Ravindra – Neil Model hung round for a bit earlier than falling for a 60-ball 34 in South Africa’s 39 for 3 at that time. From there, Bedingham and Zubayr Hamza gave South Africa much-needed momentum. Bedingham, specifically, focused Ravindra’s poor deliveries as South Africa scored 30 off his three overs earlier than lunch. The 2, who began aggressively within the morning, switched gears to play cautiously after lunch when Matt Henry and O’Rourke have been making the ball nip round a good bit.
Surprisingly, Tim Southee took 36 overs at hand the ball to Neil Wagner, who was enjoying his first Take a look at in nearly a yr. And Wagner took simply 5 balls to finish the 65-run partnership as an impatient Hamza holed out to deep square-leg off a brief supply. Nonetheless, from that time, once more, South Africa have been in management, with Bedingham and Keegan Petersen stitching collectively a wholesome partnership.
Although that is solely Bedingham’s fourth Take a look at, the readability in his pondering and method – maybe the expertise of enjoying near 90 first-class matches helped – stood out. He performed aggressively when essential and scored at an excellent tempo. In his 141-ball keep, he hit 12 fours and two sixes, enjoying nearly a faultless innings.
Petersen, on the different finish, was good in opposition to spin and tempo and ticked alongside properly within the center session. They placed on 98 runs collectively for the fifth wicket, placing South Africa in a powerful place at tea.
However, simply when it regarded like South Africa have been going to place the sport past New Zealand, Henry triggered a collapse, Glenn Phillips’ gorgeous catch at gully to ship again Petersen for 43 beginning issues off.
Not lengthy after, Phillips, together with his offspin, cleaned up Ruan de Swardt when he uncovered his stumps making an attempt a sweep. But it surely was O’Rourke who delivered the important thing wicket as soon as once more when he dismissed Bedingham for 110, Phillips figuring within the script once more. It was a back-of-a-length supply that Bedingham lower however Phillips was ready at gully for simply that shot.
The additional bounce on supply and O’Rourke’s tempo and accuracy meant New Zealand worn out South Africa one hour into the ultimate session.
By ending with an general match haul of 9 for 93, O’Rourke registered the very best bowling figures on Take a look at debut for a New Zealand bowler.
