New Zealand vs South Africa, 2022, 2nd Test, Day 4: Highlights
New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 4, Highlights: Chasing a target of 426 runs, New Zealand will resume batting on Day 5 vs South Africa in Christchurch. Devon Conway is currently unbeaten with Tom Blundell and the duo will be aiming for momentum.
- NDTV Sports Desk
- Updated: February 28, 2022 11:14 am IST
New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd Test, Day 4, highlights: Chasing a target of 426 runs, New Zealand posted 94 for four at Stumps on Day 4 of the ongoing second Test match vs South Africa in Christchurch on Monday. Devon Conway and Tom Blundell will resume batting for the hosts on Day 5 with the former smashing an unbeaten knock of 60 runs off 127 balls. Meanwhile, Blundell faced 17 deliveries and registered a run to remain unbeaten. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj have been in good bowling form for South Africa and have registered two wickets each. The Proteas initially declared at 354 for nine in their second innings with wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne smashing an unbeaten knock of 136 runs off 187 balls, packed with 16 fours and a maximum. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada made his contribution as a tailender with a knock of 47 runs off 34 deliveries. The New Zealand bowling department were in good form with Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner taking two wickets each. The hosts lead 1-0 in the two-match series and will be aiming to complete their clean sweep. (SCORECARD)
NZ vs SA, 2nd Test Live
We are back for the final session of Day 4! The final innings of this Test match is set to get underway. South African players are out there in the middle. The two openers for New Zealand, Tom Latham and Will Young are out there as well to start their chase. Kagiso Rabada will start with the ball for South Africa and he will be on a hat-trick as he got last two wickets of consecutive deliveries in first innings. Here we go...
... DAY 4, SESSION 3 …
Right then! New Zealand need a mammoth 426 runs to win the Test as well as the series! They have their task cut out as they face a formidable South African bowling attack. It promises to be an intriguing last session on Day 4, so stay tuned as the live action begins shortly.
New Zealand bowled well in patches but they were well below-par on Day 4. They lost the plot when the South African batters started attacking them and that could also cost them the match. Every bowler got into the wickets column but one would think that they clearly missed the trick of playing a spinner on this track.
South Africa didn't start off well with the bat but there were a couple of partnerships that swung the momentum back in their favour - Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder and Kyle Verreynne. But the partnership which New Zealand didn't enjoy at all was the one between Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Verreynne. That passage of play completely shifted the momentum in South Africa's favour and the last wicket partnership dented New Zealand's hopes further.
A terrific batting performance from South Africa and they are in a very commanding position now. Kyle Verreynne has been brilliant with the bat for them and there have been some important contributions around him that has ensured that they set a huge target for the Kiwis. They have declared their innings just few minutes before Tea, as a result, early Tea has been taken.
Here we go... South Africa declare now! A short delivery on middle. Lutho Sipamla pulls it to fine leg for a single. This has been a very good batting performance by South Africa. South Africa declare weith 354/9 in their second innings. New Zealand need 426 runs to win this Test match!
Another short delivery on middle. Lutho Sipamla ducks under it now. Not sure why South Africa are not declaring!
A short delivery on middle this time. Lutho Sipamla looks to pull but misses.
A full delivery on off. Kyle Verreynne digs it out to mid off for a single.
A yorker-length ball, on middle. Kyle Verreynne digs it out back to the bowler.
A slower ball, full and around leg. Kyle Verreynne clips it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.
A full ball, outside off. Lutho Sipamla drags it towards mid on.
Another short ball, around off. Lutho Sipamla tries to pull but it hits his forearm and then ricochets onto the helmet.
Lutho Sipamla has been hit on the helmet here as he tried to pull that ball! The physio comes out for the mandatory concussion test and this will take more time out of the game. All the cameras are on Dean Elgar now and we might see the declaration any time soon. In the meanwhile, Lutho Sipamla looks fine and is ready to resume.
NASTY! A bumper, around off. Lutho Sipamla misses his pull and gets struck on his helmet.
A length ball, around middle. Lutho Sipamla tucks it to mid-wicket.
A slower ball, full and around off. Lutho Sipamla digs it out.
Full and outside off. Kyle Verreynne drags it to deep point and manages only a single in the end.
A short ball to end the over, down leg. Lutho Sipamla lets it sail through to the keeper.