1st Test: New Zealand on course for big win as South Africa crumble again after Henry Nicholls hundred
India Today
New Zealand vs South Africa: Riding on Henry Nicholls hundred, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 482 on the board. The visitors were reduced to 34/3 at Stumps on Day 2 of the series opener.
South Africa are staring at an innings defeat in the first of a 2-match Test series against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch as they crumbled to 34 for 3 at Stumps on Day 2. New Zealand, who had bundled out South Africa for 95 in their first innings, posted 482 on the board, riding on a hundred from Henry Nicholls and quickfire fifties from Tom Blundell (96) and tail-ender Matt Henry (58).
On the back foot since being bundled out for 95 in the first innings, South Africa's top order collapsed for a second time at Christchurch's Hagley Oval to finish the day 353 behind.
Temba Bavuma (22) and Rassie van der Dussen (nine) will resume on Saturday hoping to delay an imminent defeat in the Test series opener.
South Africa's four-man attack without a specialist spinner has looked pedestrian and they also dropped four catches to let New Zealand off the hook.
Nicholls alone was the beneficiary on two such occasions on Thursday and he capitalised on the reprieves to smash his eighth test century. Neil Wagner, who had stepped in as nightwatchman on Thursday, set the tone when he tore into the South African attack after New Zealand resumed on 116-3.
A hometown 100 for @HenryNicholls27 is our @ANZ_NZ Play of the Day at Hagley Oval! #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/qnxaJrkn2y
Wagner clobbered two sixes and seven boundaries in his entertaining 49 before Kagiso Rabada removed him.
