Story ProgressBack to home
Bowling records tumble at NZ-SA Test
Eleven wickets fell around a Scott Styris century on the second day of the second cricket Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park today.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:05 AM IST
Read Time:3 min
Auckland: Eleven wickets fell around a Scott Styris century on the second day of the second cricket Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park today. Shaun Pollock became South Africa's leading wicket-taker in Tests, claiming his 331st dismissal to surpass Alan Donald, as New Zealand ended 201 for three in reply to South Africa's 296. Styris reached a rapid century, his third in Test matches for New Zealand, and was 118 not out at the close, batting with Craig McMillan. McMillan was 31 not out and came to the wicket after Styris had put on a record 125 for the third wicket with Mark Richardson, who made 45. The partnership surpassed New Zealand's previous third-wicket record against South Africa of 94. Earlier, Chris Martin took a career best six for 71 -- his first six-wicket haul in first-class play -- as New Zealand claimed eight South African wickets for 46 runs after the tourists' resumption at 231 for two. Martin was denied by a dropped slip catch the chance to become the first New Zealander to take seven wickets in an innings against South Africa. His total was third among New Zealand bowling efforts against the South Africans, behind John Reid's six for 60 and Geoff Rabone's six for 68. "I'm absolutely rapt," Martin said. "Conditions were a lot better than yesterday. The ball moved in the air which on a low, slow, flat wicket is what you need. "I haven't got too many five-fors so to get a six in a Test match astounded me. There was a lot of positive play today and it's sped the game up enough for us to push for a result." Pollock held a share of Donald's career record of 330 Test wickets after the drawn first Test at Hamilton. He claimed the record on his own, heading a list of South African test luminaries which includes his father Peter, when he dismissed Michael Papps (0) in the third over of New Zealand's innings. New Zealand was reduced to 12 for two when its captain Stephen Fleming fell to Mikhaya Ntini for four but Styris and Richardson gave the innings new solidity. Styris scored at a rapid rate, reaching his half century in 83 minutes and his third Test century in 174 minutes, from 121 balls -- the second 50 from only 55 deliveries. His total included 18 fours and two massive sixes: 84 runs or three-quarters of his total from boundaries. He was the only batsman to dominate the bowlers on a day on which humid conditions caused the ball to swing, a factor exploited by Martin. The recalled right-armer, playing his first Test in two years, had one for 61 overnight but took five for 15 on the second day as New Zealand dismantled the South African innings. (AP)
Topics mentioned in this article
Cricket
Get the Latest IPL 2024 Updates, check out IPL 2024 schedules and IPL points table at NDTV Sports.Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more sports updates. You can also download the NDTV Cricket app for Android or iOS.