Dale Steyn marked his return to the international game with two early wickets to give South Africa a much-needed boost on the second morning of the first Test against New Zealand at Kingsmead.
Playing his first international match since being sidelined by a shoulder injury in December last year, Steyn dismissed both New Zealand openers to leave the tourists 15-2 at lunch in reply to South Africa’s 263 all out.
Although his pace was down as he had predicted, the 33-year-old offered a superb presentation of swing bowling to take 2-3 in a six-over spell.
It was just the start that South Africa needed after being bowled out for an underwhelming total.
The hosts yesterday resumed on 236-8 after light rain delayed play by 50 minutes, and lasted just 10 overs before New Zealand seamers Tim Southee and Trent Boult wrapped up the tail.
Boult finished with figures of 3-52, while Kagiso Rabada was left unbeaten on a career-best 32.
South Africa’s disappointment at their total was lifted slightly by the seam-friendly conditions, which Steyn and Vernon Philander used to put the pressure back onto New Zealand.
Although Tom Latham was dropped by Dean Elgar at second slip off the bowling of Philander early on, Steyn induced another edge from the left-hander soon after and this time it was held by Hashim Amla.
Steyn then trapped Martin Guptill LBW in his next over to cap a brilliant opening spell, before light rain and bad light ended the session slightly early.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were the unbeaten batsmen for New Zealand, who trailed by 248 runs with eight wickets in hand when play was halted at lunch because of rain.
WEST INDIES VS INDIA
AP, PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad
A combination of overnight rain and a soft outfield yesterday prevented any play on the second day of the fourth Test between the West Indies and India.
An afternoon pitch inspection was imminent when further rain came down.
Although the downpours had subsided in the morning, the volume of rain meant the outfield did not become playable.
The West Indies are on 62-2 after an opening day that was also severely affected by rain.
The hosts on Thursday lost the wickets of Leon Johnson (nine) and Darren Bravo (10), leaving Kraigg Brathwaite (32) and Marlon Samuels (four) as the unbeaten batsmen.
India lead the four-match series 2-0 and are looking to keep their place at the top of the Test rankings with a win.
However, further rain was forecast for the weekend.
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