* New Zealand need record total to win match
* Rudolph third SA batsman to score century in innings
(Updates at close)
March 10 (Reuters) – Captain Ross Taylor and Brendon
McCullum kept New Zealand’s slim hopes of scoring 401 runs to
beat South Africa in the first test alive after they helped the
hosts reach 137 for two at the close of the fourth day’s play at
University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.
New Zealand’s chances of threatening the record target, let
alone saving the test on a pitch that is displaying inconsistent
bounce, rest with McCullum (58 not out) and Taylor (48 not out),
who had combined for an 82-run partnership before bad light
stopped play with four overs remaining.
The naturally aggressive duo had thrown away their wickets
with rash strokes in the first innings and while they tempered
their all-out attacking instincts they were still scoring at
more than four runs an over.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith had declared their second
innings on 435 for five midway through the second session on
Saturday then his bowlers put New Zealand’s batsmen under
immense pressure with Vernon Philander consistently creating
doubt just outside off stump.
Tall fast bowler Morne Morkel was also particularly
aggressive and peppered New Zealand’s batsmen with short-pitched
bowling, hitting Rob Nicol on the body several times.
The pressure told on both opening batsmen with Martin
Guptill unable to handle Philander’s late away movement and he
was caught at third slip by AB de Villiers for six before tea.
Nicol, who needed treatment on his left hand after he was
hit by a steeply rising delivery from Morkel, wasted his earlier
efforts when he got a full toss from legspinner Imran Tahir and
hit the ball straight to Smith at mid-on for 19.
Continued…
