NZ vs SA |2nd Test | Day 3: South Africa still in lead despite de Grandhomme century

It is turning out to be one see-saw encounter at the Basin Reserve in Wellington with both South Africa and New Zealand not interested in giving up even an inch of their playing field. Day 3 in the second Test match of South Africa’s tour of the World Test Champions saw yet another riveting day of cricket headlined by Colin de Grandhomme’s century and the feeling that South Africa still have the upper hand in a must win game.

De Grandhomme pushed the visitors in the morning session continuing from his blitzkrieg on Day 2, starting to find his range in the first few overs. He could possibly have carried on with that but instead chose to show a little more patience and get his century while partnering Daryll Mitchell for 133 runs.

The right hander remained not out at 120 while Mitchell was caught plumb in front by Keshav Maharaj - the only specialist spinner playing this Test match. Useful contribution from Neil Wagner at the end took New Zealand to 293 runs, conceding a lead of 71 runs.

Coming into bowl, New Zealand needed quick wickets to make an impact in the Test match, and they did with the ever dependable Tim Southee. The maestro removed openers Sarel Erwee and Dean Elgar inside the first 11 overs, with the visitors having put 23 on board. It did not take long for SA to lose their third wicket - courtesy of Matt Henry who removed Aiden Markram to almost affect a collapse.

As South Africa looked pushed to their limit, the collapse was stopped by Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma. Van der Dussen played some glorious shots and was largely the reason behind such a quick counter attack. The 65-run partnership was broken by the massive efforts of Neil Wagner who once again burst out a barrage of short balls late in the day. Wagner removed both Bavuma and more importantly van der Dussen who was looking like he could take the game away from the hosts.

Wagner won the patience game against van der Dussen, trapping him into a desperate pull shot that the batter lobbed up into the bowler's hands. He then removed Bavuma as well with his change up fuller length delivery.

As things stand, South Africa are leading the game by 211 runs with their last recognised batting pair in the middle. Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder were in the middle at stumps having put 26 runs together between them.

A Test match that has shifted momentum throughout its course of three days, fans would be eagerly waiting for Day 4 as the game moves into its most crucial hours. A quick 100 runs can mean that New Zealand will be in a huge pickle against Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who have breathed fire throughout the game. In the first innings against the hosts, Rabada took 5 while Jansen finished with four to his name. NZ will be looking to wrap the visitors inside 250 runs, before hoping that they can chase it down without their talismans Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.