Cricket: Black Caps attack fight back

JOHANNESBURG - New Zealand climbed off the ropes to land several telling blows against South Africa last night but were still facing an uphill struggle to recover from their dire batting performance on the first day.

Having been humbled for 119 batting first, their third-lowest total against South Africa and the lowest ever posted at the Wanderers, New Zealand struck back in the first session last night to dismiss their hosts for 186, a deficit of 67.

Considering the manner in which South Africa dominated the first day, when they went to stumps with a lead of 14 and six wickets in hand, the comeback would have come as a huge relief for the tourists, who need to win the third test to square the series. New Zealand's bowling attack had probably been more disappointing than the batting effort on day one but the pace trio hit back with a vengeance last night; Chris Martin ending with his seventh five-wicket bag.

Resuming at 133-4, the South Africans lost their last six wickets for just 53 runs, most of which came from the bat of Shaun Pollock, who was unbeaten on 32 when he ran out of partners, having struck three fours and a brace of sixes.

Martin has fashioned an impressive record against South Africa, his 98 career wickets including 37 against the Proteas at a stunning average of 22.02, and he was well supported last night by fellow pacemen James Franklin and Kyle Mills. Having chipped out Boeta Dippenaar and Jacques Kallis on the first day, he returned to send back second test century-maker Ashwell Prince, Andrew Hall and Dale Steyn, to end with 5-37.

By lunch New Zealand were teetering at 40-2 in their second innings, having lost Jamie How to a Steyn thunderbolt in the third over, and fellow opener Michael Papps to a catch behind the wicket off the bowling of Jacques Kallis. Unbeaten was Stephen Fleming on 13, the New Zealand skipper being forced to cope with a ferocious blow above the hip from Makhaya Ntini.

On a Wanderers surface that continues to assist the bowlers, New Zealand are facing another stern challenge from the South African pace attack, particularly the in-form Ntini and his new hunting partner, Steyn.

Ntini proved a major handful on the first day, taking his fifth five-wicket bag of the summer, and Steyn continued his impressive form for the series, keeping the pressure on from the other end and taking three wickets. It was a top-drawer performance from both fast bowlers, but they each made a point afterwards of saying they were still improving on the international scene, and that would be looking for even more penetration as their careers progressed.

Steyn, just 22-years-of age but equipped with the classic fast-bowler's action, claimed he had much more petrol in the tank, was growing in confidence, and was keen to bowl at the New Zealand batsmen as much as possible.

"I wouldn't mind bowling to the New Zealand's right-handers every week," he said. "It's nice to be shaping the ball away and I'm really pleased to be putting it in the right place so often.

"I want to bowl faster and I'm pretty sure I will. It's been a long season and I'm glad I'm managing to get it through quickly."

For his part, Ntini said he was delighted to be among the wickets yet again at the Wanderers, but scotched any suggestion that he was bowling out of his skin, and that he'd struggle to be as influential on a regular basis.

That can only be bad news for the New Zealand batsmen as the right-armer has been on fire this summer, taking a startling 48 wickets at just 22.00 up to the end of the first innings at the Wanderers.

"I wouldn't say I'm bowling at my best," said Ntini. "I'm getting there but I haven't reached that stage yet. I'm not at my peak, that's for sure. But for the time being I'm happy with the way things are going."

RSA v NZ
Third test, day two, Johannesburg

New Zealand

M Papps b Ntini 0
J How c de Villiers b Steyn 0
S Fleming c Boucher b Ntini 46
S Styris c de Villiers b Ntini 0
 N Astle c Kallis b Steyn 20
J Oram lbw b Pollock 18
 B McCullum c&b Ntini 0
D Vettori lbw b Steyn 2
J Franklin c Boucher b Hall 19
K Mills not out 0
C Martin c Smith b Ntini 1
Extras (nb3, w1, lb9) 13

Total (all out, 43.6 overs) 119

Bowling: Ntini 16-7-35-5, Steyn 12-3-43-3 (3nb), Hall 9-2-21-1 (1w), Pollock 7-2-11-1.

South Africa

G Smith c McCullum b Franklin 63
 B Dippenaar b Martin 0
H Amla c Papps b Styris 56
 J Kallis b Martin 9
A Prince c Astle b Martin 4
AB de Villiers c Styris b Franklin 2
M Boucher lbw b Franklin 0
S Pollock not out 32
A Hall lbw b Martin 5
D Steyn b Martin 2
M Ntini c McCullum b Mills 8
Extras (5 nb) 5

Total (all out, 44 overs) 186

Bowling: Martin 15-2-37-5 (1nb), Franklin 13-2-87-3 (4nb), Oram 4-0-20-0, Mills 8-0-30-1, Astle 2-0-11-0, Styris 2-1-1-1.

New Zealand

M Papps c Hall b Kallis 17
J Howlbw b Steyn 4
S Fleming not out 13
Extras (5nb) 5

Total (2 wickets, 11 overs) 40

Bowling: Steyn 7-1-18-1 (1nb), Ntini 3-1-11-0, Kallis 1-1-0-0.