South Africa’s bowlers will seek to find a way to dislodge New Zealand’s most productive opening partnership of the series when play in the third Test in Wellington resumes on Monday.
New Zealand head into the fourth day at the Basin Reserve on 0-65 with the new opening combination of Daniel Flynn and Martin Guptill looking to chip away at the Proteas’ total of 9-474.
Flynn offered a tough chance to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher early in his innings and was peppered with short balls but survived to be 35 at the close with Guptill on 28.
South Africa opener Alviro Petersen, who made a career-best 156, says they were disappointed not to pick up any wickets in the 25-over session before stumps but remain committed to getting a result.
“We want to win a Test match here, that’s the important thing.
“I’m sure the bowlers and all of us will try be more effective as to how to get them out.”
Standing in their way is a pitch that despite being under cover for four days before the Test and for a large part of the first two days was not offering much for the bowlers.
“What we can do is try and build a lot of pressure on them.
“We’ve seen in the whole series, once they are two or three down, things could happen for us.”
South Africa’s attack won’t be able to call on bowling coach Allan Donald after he returned home before the Test for what the Proteas management called “personal reasons”.