New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd Test Day 2: Colin de Grandhomme's counterattack keep hosts in the game

Feb 26, 2022

New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd Test Day 2: Colin de Grandhomme's counterattack keep hosts in the game Image

A brilliant counterattack from Colin de Grandhomme kept New Zealand in the contest after they lost five wickets for just 91 on Day 2 of the second Test match. De Grandhomme will resume on 54, having hit seven fours and two sixes. With him is Daryl Mitchell, on a sedate 29. New Zealand were 157/5 at stumps: they still trail by 207 in the first innings.

Earlier in the day, South Africa's grip on the game loosened when Neil Wagner and Matt Henry claimed two wickets each in the opening session. South Africa slipped to 298/7 at lunch. 

Henry got Temba Bavuma with a yorker. It dipped viciously in front of Bavuma, who could not bring his bat down in time. In the next over, Henry got his second of the day when Kyle Verreynne edged away to Tom Latham.

Wagner removed Rassie van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder, and Kagiso Rabada to reduce them to 302/8 before Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj frustrated New Zealand with a 62-run stand for the ninth wicket. Jansen remained unbeaten on 37, while Maharaj was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson on 36.

Rabada then provided an early breakthrough, getting Tom Latham with his fourth ball. Attempting to guide a pitched-up ball around leg stump, Latham ended up edging to Verreynne. The second wicket fell when Will Young tried to poke at a length ball way outside off stump.

Devon Conway tried to rebuild the innings before being falling to Jansen for 16. Henry Nicholls (36) cut straight to Saral Erwee, and Tom Blundell did not last either, but de Grandhomme and Mitchell then held the fort to help New Zealand manoeuver through the day without losing further wickets.

South Africa 364 (Sarel Erwee 108; Neil Wagner 4-104) lead New Zealand 157/5 (Colin de Grandhomme 54; Kagiso Rabada 3-37) trail by 207 runs.