New Zealand lost two quick wickets as they started their second innings against South Africa in Wellington on Sunday, including the key dismissal of Stephen Fleming as they went to tea on the third day at 49 for two, a 30-run lead.
Trailling by 19 runs on the first innings of the third and final Test, New Zealand had the worst possible start when Michael Papps was out without scoring in the first over by Shaun Pollock.
Fleming and Mark Richardson set about establishing a start and had moved the score to 42 when Fleming skied an attempted hook and was caught by Mark Boucher off the bowling of Andre Nel.
Richardson was not out 31 and Sinclair yet to score at the break.
The South Africa first innings ended just before lunch after they lost their last seven wickets for 79 runs.
The rot set in when New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin took the second new ball and in a devastating spell took three quick wickets to reduce the tourists from three for 252 to six for 265, leaving Chris Cairns with two wickets and Jacob Oram with one to clean up the tail.
Jacques Rudolph was left stranded on 93 not out when Cairns dismissed Andre Nel with five to end the innings.
Martin, with his third successive five-wicket bag, finished with five for 55 off 20 overs and Cairns took four for 60 off 16,5.
South Africa progressed to 251 before Martin had Van Jaarsveld out for 59, ending a 115 run partnership with Rudolph.
Three overs later he dismissed Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher in the same over with the score at 265.
Pollock came and went for five before Nicky Boje tried to rectify the slump and put on 34 with Rudolph before he was bowled by Cairns, which brought in Makyaha Ntini who hit a four of his first ball and was out on the second.
New Zealand lead the series 1-0 and a draw will be enough for them to clinch their first series win over South Africa. — Sapa-AFP