A dodgy weather forecast may hamper New Zealand’s hopes of making up for a missed opportunity on day two of the third cricket Test against South Africa in Wellington.
Despite winning the toss and sending the tourists in on a wicket that was expected to move around more than it did, the hosts needed two questionable umpiring decisions to reduce the Proteas to 2-136 on an abbreviated first day.
Alviro Petersen will resume on 44 with JP Duminy, brought into the side after Jacques Kallis was ruled out with a stiff neck, on 23.
Seamer Doug Bracewell, who removed Graeme Smith with a ball that did not appear to clip his inside edge, admits they have work to do if they want to find a way back into the Test in their drive to level the series.
“We’ve still got a lot cricket left in this Test so first session is key for us. Hopefully we start off well and grab some wickets in clumps,” he said.
But with afternoon rain forecast, any hopes of getting back into the Test may be cut short again after a sodden outfield delayed play on the opening day and then bad light forced an early end after 42 overs.
There was enough time for a second decision from TV umpire Billy Doctrove which raised questions after he failed to spot a back-foot no-ball when Mark Gillespie removed Hashim Amla in the first over after tea for a polished 63.
The Proteas did not make a big issue of either of the decisions and assistant coach Russell Domingo says their attack, which features speedster Marchant de Lange in place of legspinner Imran Tahir, will look forward to bowling on the Basin Reserve pitch.
“We were very encouraged by the amount of bounce. Bounce is always something South African bowlers look to exploit and thrive on,” he said.