/ 2 January 2013

Black Caps fold as Philander makes history

Black Caps Fold As Philander Makes History

New Zealand was bowled out for just 45 in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday in Cape Town.

It took the Cobras all-rounder only 25 balls to claim his five scalps in an astonishing display of aggressive fast bowling during the first morning session at Newlands.

Philander dismissed Martin Guptill (1), Brendon McCullum (7), Doug Brownlie (0), Kane Williamson (13) and BJ Watling (0).

He finished his spell with figures of 5/7 from 6 overs.

New Zealand captain McCullum was left ruing the decision to bat after winning the toss as his side was all out just after midday.

Fellow pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel accounted for the other five wickets, Steyn dismissing Doug Bracewell (1) and Daniel Flynn (8), while Morkel accounted for James Franklin (2), Jeetan Patel (5) and Trent Boult (1).

New Zealand’s score of 45 is tied for the 12th lowest innings total by any Test cricket-playing nation.

Steyn’s dismissal also took him to 300 wickets in Test cricket from 61 outings – the third fastest to this milestone after Australian speedster Dennis Lillee and Sri-Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Australian Shane Watson is responsible for the second fastest five wicket haul after taking five wickets inside 21 balls at the same ground against the Proteas in 2011.

Earnie Toshack, also of Australia, dismissed five Indian batsmen at Brisbane back in 1947 inside just 19 balls and conceding only two runs to claim the fastest five wickets in Test cricket history.

It was always going to be a tough encounter for New Zealand, going up against the world’s number one ranked team in Test cricket, while they languish in eighth spot in the standings.

It is McCullum’s first match in charge of New Zealand after Ross Taylor’s sacking as captain. The Black Caps are also without the injured duo of Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee.

The Proteas, who will remain world number one even if the two-match Test series is drawn, went into the match with an unchanged XI from the side that clinched the Test series against Australia in Perth.

South Africa did not get off to the best starts in their innings as they lost skipper Graeme Smith for one after he was trapped LBW by Bracewell.

Teams:

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (captain), Kane Williamson, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, BJ Watling, James Franklin, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.