New Zealand v South Africa, 3rd Test, Wellington, 1st day

South Africa gain Strong Position on 1st day

South Africa 136 for 2 (Amla 63, Petersen 44*, Duminy 23*) v New Zealand 

WELLINGTON: South Africa’s batsmen made a mockery of supposedly helpful bowling conditions to finish the weather-affected first day of the third and final test against New Zealand on 136 for two. 

A fluent 63 from Hashim Amla eased South Africa to 136 for 2 at stumps, after a wet outfield in the morning and poor light late in the day only allowed 42 overs to be bowled. Ross Taylor chose to field on a green surface expected to seam, but although Graeme Smith was removed by one that jagged off the pitch, New Zealand struggled to achieve pronounced movement for extended periods, with spinner Daniel Vettori called on to contribute more than a quarter of the hosts' overs. Alviro Petersen played a restrained knock to end the day in sight of his first half-century of the series, while JP Duminy, who replaced an injured Jacques Kallis, was unbeaten on 23. 

South Africa only need to draw the game to seal the three-match series after they won the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by nine wickets.

Overnight rain had delayed the start of the game, with umpires deeming the ground unsuitable for play until 1400. The match had been scheduled to start at 1030