Proteas endure a nightmare of day in Christchurch against New Zealand

First Test

Day 2 of 5:

South Africa 95 and 34/3

New Zealand 482

Johannesburg - Friday was a bad day for the South African cricket team. It was downright embarrassing at times.

It was the second bad day in a row.

It started in the first 30 minutes of play on Friday when Neil Wagner thrashed half a dozen boundaries and concluded with the loss of three wickets in the final 40 minutes. What had been a docile pitch for the 80-odd overs when the Proteas bowled, suddenly became a snake-pit as Tim Southee and the omnipresent Matt Henry laid waste to the touring side’s top order.

With everyone expecting an urgent reaction to Thursday’s dismal batting and poor fielding,the Proteas instead dished up half volleys which the nightwatchman, Wagner, feasted on. He smashed three boundaries in a row off Kagiso Rabada’s first over, in doing so setting the tone for the day.

By the time morning drinks were being consumed New Zealand had added 74 runs to their overnight total of 116/3 and their lead was closing in on a 100.

It wasn’t the start that the South Africans had talked about at the end of play on Thursday when they were still very much in the match despite the mediocre first innings total and dropping four catches in the final session.

❌ DAY 2 | STUMPSThat's a wrap for Day 2 of the opening Test as the #Proteas end the day on 34/3, trailing New Zealand by a further 353 runs