Daniel Vettori. Photo / Chris Skelton
Captain Daniel Vettori struck 99 and put on a century partnership with vice-captain Brendon McCullum on the first day of New Zealand's opening tour match against a South Africa Invitation XI at Bloemfontein.
The New Zealanders were all out for 318 in 88 overs, having recovered from 28
for two in the morning session.
Middle order bat Scott Styris was satisfied that New Zealand's batsmen had acquitted themselves well enough.
"It was certainly a spicy wicket with lots of tennis ball bounce, it wasn't easy to bat on," Styris said.
The Black Caps bowlers would be looking forward to the second day, he added.
Vettori was on the verge of a fifth first-class century, striking 11 fours off 118 deliveries when he tried to work a single off left-arm paceman Yusuf Abdullah to leg after hitting the bowler for successive fours.
Instead, the ball popped off the leading edge of his bat and he was caught at mid-on by opposition captain Morne van Wyk, cutting him short of a deserved ton.
The left-hander compiled a 110-run partnership with McCullum (46) and 57 with Shane Bond (28).
Van Wyk won the toss and inserted the tourists, and saw his decision pay off with the early wickets of openers Michael Papps (2) and Craig Cumming (12). Veterans Stephen Fleming and Styris provided stability with a stand of 55, ending with the former skipper's dismissal for 38.
Middle-order trio Styris (29), Ross Taylor (12) and Jacob Oram (23) went in quick succession as the hosts held their visitors to 126 for six.
Vettori and McCullum, however, prospered, and upped the run rate, reaching their 50 partnership in 59 balls.
The wicketkeeper eventually fell to a return catch from young left-armer Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
Bond and Vettori pushed the score on, but Abdullah broke the partnership with his left-arm pace and wrapped up the tail to finish with figures of four for 81.
Ethy Mbhalati claimed three for 50, Tsotsobe took two for 62 and Jon Kent one for 43.
The match is the first of two warm-up games for New Zealand before they take on South Africa in two tests, a Twenty20 international and three one-day internationals.
