By Greg Stutchbury
WELLINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) – The stop-start nature of a
weather-affected third test and howling winds that were gusting
more than 80kph had rated as one of Daniel Vettori’s worst in
test cricket, the former New Zealand captain said on Saturday.
Constant drizzle, chilly conditions and the blustery
northerly made the second day of the third test against South
Africa at the Basin Reserve one of attrition for New Zealand’s
bowlers.
They managed just 37 overs on Saturday after rain delayed
the start of play for more than four hours, before bad light
drove them from the field with 12 overs still due to be bowled
in the day’s play.
“From 460 odd days of test cricket, somewhere near the
bottom,” the 111-test veteran said with a laugh when asked how
the day’s play had rated in his memory.
“Into the wind it’s pretty tough for the seamers and even
for the spinners. You get blown around in your run up and in
your delivery stride and it can be a little difficult.
“It was a tough day for a bowling side.”
Alviro Petersen (96 not out) and JP Duminy (76 not out) had
accumulated a further 110 runs without any loss of wickets after
play finally got going at 1425 local (0325 GMT), almost four and
a half hours after the scheduled start time to guide the
visitors to a commanding 246 for two at the close of play.
The pair offered New Zealand bowlers little opportunity for
the breakthrough on a good paced wicket that was gave little
assistance, though Petersen was dropped by a diving Martin
Guptill when he was on 68.
Continued…
