Cricket: Martin and Styris strike back

By RICHARD BOOCK

Say what you like about this second test match at Eden Park, but it could never be accused of becoming predictable.

In one of the biggest transformations since Cinderella met her godmother, New Zealand turned the test on its head yesterday with marvellous counter-attacking efforts from Scott Styris and Chris Martin.

Having conceded a slight advantage to the South Africans on the opening day, New Zealand stormed back into the match courtesy of a career-best bowling spell from Martin and a daring onslaught from Styris, who was unbeaten on 118 at the close.

It was a scarcely believable day's action after the sedate tempo on Thursday, and allowed New Zealand to move through to 201 for three at stumps and to close within 95 of South Africa's first innings total.

Styris was the pivotal figure for most of the afternoon, crashing the tourists' attack all around the park and progressing the match to such an extent that his team are now well placed to push on towards a position of dominance.

The 28-year-old reached his half-century off 64 balls and worked away diligently through the second half of his innings to bring up his third test century off 121 balls, courtesy of a thumping off-drive off Jacques Kallis.

Styris was particularly harsh on David Terbrugge, taking 30 of his first 60 runs off the paceman, and continued to find the boundary at every opportunity, striking 18 fours and two sixes.

Although New Zealand were in trouble when he came to the wicket at 12 for two, the aggressive right-hander showed little sign of anxiety and featured in a 125-run third-wicket partnership with Mark Richardson, a record against South Africa.

The stand not only eclipsed the previous best of 94 between Matt Poore and Bert Sutcliffe at Cape Town in 1953-54, it took the initiative completely away from the tourists and left the New Zealand batsmen in the driving seat.

Stryris, who scored a hundred on debut in the West Indies two years ago, has now posted centuries on three occasions, but yesterday's knock was his first on New Zealand soil.

It was also the seventh instance of a New Zealander scoring centuries against South Africa, following the efforts of John R. Reid (two), Geoff Rabone, Paul Barton, Barry Sinclair and Mathew Sinclair.

On a day that was expected to usher in several milestones, only Shaun Pollock managed to make the most of the moment, taking the wicket of Michael Papps in the third over to overtake Allan Donald's South African record of 330 dismissals.

Chris Cairns, however, was unable to reach the much-awaited 200-wicket mark, Gary Kirsten was unable to celebrate his 100th test with a meaningful score and Jacques Kallis fell 60 runs short of a century in his sixth consecutive test.

Instead, the limelight was stolen by Martin, whose six for 76 shattered all predictions of a dull, boring test, and left South Africa's once proud-looking first innings in complete tatters.

Martin, who was playing in his comeback test after being left on the outer for two years, took one wicket on the first day and added five for 15 off 12 overs yesterday, to finish with the third best analysis for a New Zealander against South Africa.

He might have even had seven wickets but for an uncharacteristic lapse at slip by Stephen Fleming, who missed a regulation chance off No 11 batsman David Terbrugge.

Down in the dumps after playing the last of his 11 tests in May 2002 against Pakistan, then not being required on the West Indies tour, Martin took action.

He bulked up his slight frame by 9kg and was rewarded this season with 28 wickets for Canterbury at 27.42, then seven for 73 for New Zealand A against Sri Lanka A last week.

"I was a strapping 73kg when I was playing last, now I'm an imposing 82kg," Martin said.

"I've cut down on the smoking a wee bit, I've eaten a lot more and I've worked in the gym very hard."

New Zealand, who have never beaten South Africa in a test series, will be desperate to cash in on their opportunity today.