POTCHEFSTROOM - Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum showed resolve on a troublesome pitch to put New Zealand in contention for a morale-boosting win after the third day of their match against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.
New Zealand, chasing 358 to win on a pitch of variable bounce,suffered another top-order slump, losing five wickets for 67 runs to be looking at a crushing defeat in three days before the first test against the full South African side in Johannesburg.
But Taylor and McCullum made a determined sixth-wicket stand of 139 and New Zealand finished the day in position to push for a remarkable victory on 230 for six.
SA A left-arm paceman Lonwabo Tsotsobe picked up three wickets in a fiery opening spell that ran through the New Zealand top order before Taylor (79 not out) and McCullum (77) restored equilibrium.
"The top order is a bit of a concern. You can't really judge them on the first match because of the pitch we played on, but they've all taken a bit out of this game," said McCullum.
"They just need to be sure of their games come the test match and hopefully the middle order can chip in again then."
Seamer Jacob Oram was once again among the wickets as South Africa A were bundled out for 106 in their second innings. Other than first-innings centurion Neil McKenzie (34), no one could handle Oram, who finished with five for 16 in 6.5 overs. "Jacob's been outstanding the last couple of games. He's been a real handful," wicketkeeper McCallum said.
Things could get interesting on the final morning with the in-form Daniel Vettori (14 not out) having joined Taylor with 128 runs required to pull off a come-from-behind victory.
"At least our partnership gave us a chance," McCullum said. "Ross Taylor's batting really well and Daniel's been in good form. It's just an extra 120-odd runs required and if we get them it will be a huge confidence boost."
