Cricket: Black Caps v South Africa

Kane Williamson. Photo / Getty Images

Kane Williamson has continued to lead New Zealand's batting at lunch on the third day of the second test against South Africa in Hamilton.

Starting the day on 41, he moved through to 77 not out. New Zealand are 142 for six, an overall lead of 74 runs.

Two wickets fell for 77 runs in the session. Daniel Vettori made 21 before succumbing to a straight rising ball from Jacques Kallis. Vettori turned away in the delivery's ascent and gloved the ball to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Kruger Van Wyk shouldered arms to a jagged off cutter from Vernon Philander to be dismissed for 20 in the penultimate over before lunch. Doug Bracewell is at the wicket but yet to score.

New Zealand demonstrated more solidity with the bat than yesterday as the watchful Williamson compiled his fourth test half century. His response to reaching the milestone was telling, raising his bat in token fashion as he focussed on the larger task ahead: getting New Zealand back into the game.

South Africa's bowlers persevered with a number of short or back-of-a-length deliveries. The odd one attacked the bodies of Williamson, Vettori and Van Wyk but most tended to float through to Boucher on a relatively tame third day strip. Philander remained the best of the Proteas' bowlers with three wickets for 30 from 13 overs. He has seven wickets for 100 in the match to date.