New Zealand lost five wickets for the addition of 56 runs before lunch on the second day of the first Castle Lager Test against South Africa at the Wanderers on Friday, and were reeling on 97 for seven at the break. They trailed South Africa by 129 runs.
Dale Steyn made the first breakthrough when he bowled night watchman Shane Bond for one in the fourth over of the morning, and Makhaya Ntini claimed the vital wicket of former Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming, who was caught at third slip by AB de Villiers. Fleming made 40 off 48 balls and smashed five fours and a six.
Scott Styris was next to go, caught at first slip by Graeme Smith off Jacques Kallis for 11. Jacob Oram, who has an impressive record against South Africa, with an average of 60.5, lasted seven balls before being caught by Kallis at second slip, to give Steyn his third wickets of the innings, and Ross Taylor, making his Test debut, stuck around for an hour before being caught in the gully by Herschelle Gibbs
off Kallis for 15.
However, New Zealand have a strong batting line-up, and will be hoping that Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori, who have often played an important rearguard role, will stay together throughout the afternoon session. McCullum was not out on five and Vettori had four.
Steyn led the South African attack with superb aggression. He had figures of three for 32. Ntini took two for 28 and Kallis two for 11 in four overs. – Sapa