South Africa take control in second Test

South Africa's top four batsmen all made half-centuries as New Zealand's decision to bowl first failed to pay off on the first day of the series-deciding second Test at in Centurion on Saturday.

South Africa were 3-283 at the end of a day when New Zealand were on the wrong end of no fewer than five leg before wicket decisions, while seam bowler Doug Bracewell limped off late in the day with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Stephen Cook (56) and Quinton de Kock (82) gave South Africa a strong start with an opening partnership of 133. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy followed up with innings of 58 and 67 not out respectively.

Cook, Amla and Duminy all survived close calls by the umpires.

New Zealand unsuccessfully called for a review when Cook was given not out against Trent Boult by umpire Paul Reiffel when he was on one. Replays showed he got a faint inside edge.

Umpire Ian Gould was then involved in four decisions, giving Amla and Duminy out but seeing both overturned on review, while New Zealand failed to call for reviews when Cook and Duminy were given not out, with replays showing the ball hitting the stumps convincingly on both occasions.

"Sometimes you get them right, sometimes you don't," said New Zealand left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner, who gave credit to the South African batsmen. 

"There is quite a lot in the wicket. South Africa batted well in trying circumstances. They left well and played the ball late."

The brightest batting came in the morning when Cook and De Kock took South Africa to 100 for no wicket.

It was South Africa's first Test century opening partnership since December 2013, while it was indicative of the difficulty of batting first on the often-lively pitches in South Africa that it was the first time since March 2009 that any team had reached three figures without losing a wicket before lunch on the first day of a Test in the country, when Simon Katich and the late Phillip Hughes did it for Australia in Durban.

De Kock, the South African wicketkeeper, was moved up to open the batting, which he does regularly in limited-overs internationals, after Dean Elgar sprained an ankle during fielding practice on Friday. Stiaan van Zyl came into the side and was expected to bat at number seven.

Although he said he was not keen to open in Tests on a long-term basis, De Kock, who has a reputation for impetuousness, said he had enjoyed the challenge of mustering the discipline needed to prosper against good bowling on a pitch which offered movement to the fast bowlers.

"I worked on when to be tight, how to play certain balls. It's the most I have left the ball in my career, I'm quite proud of myself. It's a good Test wicket, with something in it for both batsmen and bowlers," he said.

De Kock made 82 off 114 balls, hitting 15 boundaries, before hooking Wagner to Boult on the fine leg boundary, while Cook made a patient 56 off 143 deliveries before falling to a low catch by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson at gully off Bracewell.

Amla survived a shaky start to again show a liking for New Zealand bowlers, taking his Test aggregate against the Black Caps to exactly 1000 runs in 11 matches at an average of 76.92, while he continued to score heavily at Centurion, where he has made 1201 runs in 11 matches at an average of 85.78.

Amla eventually fell to a good delivery from Wagner, who switched to bowling around the wicket and produced a ball which swung in and then straightened to have Amla caught behind.

Wagner was the most impressive of the New Zealand bowlers, showing plenty of energy as he charged in for 22 overs, taking two for 51.

But Tim Southee, Boult and Bracewell all bowled testing spells on a day on which not much went right for the tourists.

"We've got to be positive and come back strong tomorrow," said Wagner. "We're not in a bad position. If we get two quick wickets in the morning we're right back in the game."

Bracewell limped off two balls into the penultimate over of the day after clutching his hamstring. His over had to be completed by Boult.