South Africa vs New Zealand commentary

End of Innings The result, after that crazy first morning, was always assured and South Africa have wrapped up victory by an innings and 27 runs. Philander was just about unplayable from the Wynberg End, taking 5 for 7, and after Petersen's ton - and fifties from Amla, Kallis and de Villiers - the game was safe for South Africa. It must be said, however, that New Zealand showed the mongrel in them with some fight the second time around. Captain Brendon McCullum battled to fifty, while Dean Brownlie's maiden Test hundred could hardly have come against a finer attack. We do hope you've enjoyed our coverage, and please join us again for the second Test at Port Elizabeth, which begins on January 11. Until then, goodbye!

Over 102.1 - NZ 275 all out (Boult 2) WICKET! What a way to end the Test match! Martin is no stranger to the duck, but this time he's topped himself by getting run out for 0 without even facing a ball. Boult flicked to fine leg, but Martin didn't want the strike to Kallis and so called for a second. It wasn't on, he turned back but couldn't get there in time. It's all over, South African win by an innings and 27 runs.

Over 102 - NZ 274/9 (Boult 1, Martin 0) WICKET! Steyn gets his man, Franklin is dismissed and this is almost over for New Zealand. It was another short one, it hit the glove and bobbled back to hit the stumps. Enter Chris Martin!

Over 101 - NZ 269/8 (Franklin 18, Boult 0) Kallis has another go at Franklin, who guides a boundary down to third man but can't find the single to get on strike for the next over, so it'll be Steyn v Boult once again.

Over 100 - NZ 265/8 (Franklin 14, Boult 0) WICKET! Patel backs away and is bowled! It was only a matter of time. Finally Steyn pitched one up, and leg stump was sent flick-flacking back. Boult picks up where Patel left off, walking right across to off for his first delivery, and backing away towards square leg at his second. Neither results in bat on ball.

Over 99 - NZ 264/7 (Franklin 13, Patel 8) Well, Kallis has replaced Philander, so perhaps he is feeling a little niggle. Kallis dishes out more of the short stuff at Patel, but the Blackcap No. 9 survives.

Over 98 - NZ 260/7 (Franklin 13, Patel 4) Franklin is taking some punishment from Steyn now! This is fearsome fast bowling. He's struck on the shoulder, ducking into a short one from round the wicket, and spends much of the rest of the over weaving for his life. The crowd roar their approval. Franklin has a slightly crazed look in his eyes after that over. I think he's enjoying this.

Over 97 - NZ 260/7 (Franklin 13, Patel 4) Philander was well nigh unplayable when he pitched the ball up in the last over, but he insists upon whanging down bouncers at Franklin. There's a short, straight mid-off in place, but he's not needed. Worse still, Philander's walking a bit gingerly after his over. Let's hope he hasn't tweaked anything.

Over 96 - NZ 257/7 (Franklin 10, Patel 4) One thing's for sure - Jeetan Patel has absolutely no intention of getting behind the line to Steyn. He's pinged by a red-hot bouncer and goes down first up, but opens his eyes wide and clings on to see out the over. The crowd love it, and both Steyn and Patel can manage a smile.

Over 95 - NZ 256/7 (Franklin 9, Patel 4) WICKET! There goes another one. South Africa are closing in. Philander is jagging them around like legbreaks, and it was only a matter of time until Bracewell got one with his name on it. He shaped to play a full ball to leg, but the movement meant it found the edge and flew straight to Peterson at third slip. Patel's innings begins with a play-and-miss and a bunt down the ground for four. This won't last long.

Over 94 - NZ 252/6 (Franklin 9, Bracewell 0) A maiden from Steyn, who keeps the ball full outside Franklin's off stump. The first ball of the over hits a crack and goes sideways, but Franklin manages to keep his composure. Newlands has found its voice now. They're baying for a wicket in the stands.

Over 93 - NZ 252/6 (Franklin 9, Bracewell 0) WICKET! Philander strikes for the first time in this innings, and Watling's vigil comes to an end. Philander landed one on off stump and got it to shape away from Watling's defensive poke. A thick edge traveled straight into Graeme Smith's bucket-like hands, and South Africa are closer still to an innings victory.

Over 92 - NZ 250/5 (Watling 41, Franklin 8) Finally some runs off the bat. After three maidens in a row, Watling seizes upon a full, leg-stump delivery from Steyn and works it neatly through midwicket for three. Watling is into the 40s now, and this budding stand is surely starting to grate the hosts.

Over 91 - NZ 247/5 (Watling 38, Franklin 8) Franklin is dropped in the gully! Or is he? Did that carry? He hung the bat out outside off and a thick edge went low towards Alviro Peterson, who couldn't quite hold on. A very tough chance, just above the turf, but a drop all the same. A revived Philander then beats the inside edge of Franklin's bat, and just about shaves the off stump as the left-hander leaves a straight one alone to end the over!

Over 90 - NZ 247/5 (Watling 38, Franklin 8) Steyn continues, bringing Watling forward and trying to tempt him outside off. Watling won't be tempted, however, and sees out a maiden.

Over 89 - NZ 247/5 (Watling 38, Franklin 8) Ah, actually it's just a change of ends for Philander. He comes on from the Kelvin Grove End for the first time in this Test, and zings down a succession of bouncers at Franklin before floating one down the leg side. One can see what the plan was there, but the execution was a little lacking. He took 5 for 7 in the first dig just hitting a length, why is he bowling bouncers and attempting yorkers this time around?

Over 88 - 247/5 (Watling 38, Franklin 8) Graeme Smith rings the changes, pulling a slightly listless Philander out and replacing him with Steyn. He operates with two slips and a gully in place, and snakes the ball devilishly in towards the left-handed Franklin. The batsman is playing across his pads a touch, but manages to get off strike and give the stage to Watling, who lets forth with a marvelous drive through the vacant mid-off. Great shot. High left elbow, checked barely past the forward defensive position, but it's out the middle and races away.

Over 87 - NZ 242/5 (Watling 34, Franklin 7) Battling stuff from Watling. He's happy to leave Morkel alone outside off, and nudge softly into the leg side when he pitches it too straight. With a strike rate hovering around 25, this is stodgy stuff. His team won't mind, as it'll annoy the South Africans no end if they have to bat again.

Over 86 - NZ 240/5 (Watling 32, Franklin 7) Neither Watling nor Franklin looks entirely convincing on the front foot to Philander, who's finding some deviation off the surface but nothing like that first morning.

Over 85 - NZ 238/5 (Watling 31, Franklin 6) A much better over from Morne. He's got a right-left combination to deal with, but his lines are superb and he beats the edges of both bats. The crowd appears to have been restored by the interval. They'll surely find their voice if South Africa pick up another one.

Over 84 - NZ 235/5 (Watling 31, Franklin 3) There are worse No. 7s in world cricket than James Franklin. In fact, he has a Test hundred against South Africa at this very ground. He spent the lunch interval in the nets, and looks in decent touch as he sees Philander's first over after lunch off. He's off the mark with a squirt through gully.

Over 83 - NZ 232/5 (Watling 31, Franklin 0) Morkel continues after lunch, and bowls with good wheels - although his direction is a little off. Still, he gets Watling playing at the ball and starts with a maiden. Steyn to continue from the Wynberg End? Indeed not, it'll be Vernon Philander.

Lunch, Day Three What a difference a wicket makes. The session had belonged entirely to New Zealand, with Brownlie and Watling settling in wonderfully well, before that rush of blood brought about Brownlie's downfall. It was a great knock from him, and it'll really hurt to have given it away in that manner. Still, New Zealand are showing some pluck at least. South Africa will believe they can complete this job with the new ball, and there's not a great deal of batting to come. Join us in 40 minutes for the resumption.

Over 82 - NZ 232/5 (Watling 31, Franklin 0) Watling survives a threatening over from Steyn to take New Zealand to lunch.

Over 81 - NZ 229/5 (Watling 28, Franklin 0) WICKET! On the stroke of lunch, would you believe it? Morne Morkel is, somewhat surprisingly, handed the new pill, but strikes to remove Brownlie. This batsman had done so very well, until now. Morkel offered one short and wide outside off, and he slapped it straight to Petersen at deep point. Had he been put there for that shot? Did Brownlie not see him? A 74-run partnership is broken, and South Africa will now believe they can wrap things up after lunch.

Over 80 - NZ 225/4 (Brownlie 105, Watling 28) Kallis mixes things up by coming round the wicket, and finds the right line to beat Watling's outside edge in the course of another maiden. That'll bring his short spell to an end, as the new ball is now due! And indeed, it's taken straight away.

Over 79 - NZ 225/4 (Brownlie 105, Watling 28) Watling breaks the run of maidens with a nudged single into the leg side off Peterson, but Brownlie offers only solid defense. Can you smell the new ball? It's going to make or break New Zealand's fightback in this game. If they get through it, they can start to dream.

Over 78 - NZ 224/4 (Brownlie 105, Watling 27) And Kallis follows suit with a maiden, during which he whangs down a bouncer that has Brownlie ducking and diving. The crowd love it.

Over 77 - NZ 224/4 (Brownlie 105, Watling 27) Another maiden from Peterson to Watling, and the new ball is just three overs away now. Steyn and Philander having a stretch.

Over 76 - NZ 224/4 (Brownlie 105, Watling 27) South Africa turn, once again, to the man with the golden arm (and restored golden locks): Jacques Kallis. There's no breakthrough this time, and three runs come from the over.

Over 75 - NZ 221/4 (Brownlie 104, Watling 25) Watchful stuff from Brownlie, who sees out another maiden from Peterson. He causes himself a little strife by playing back to a couple of deliveries, but is generally solid in defense. Actually, it's no surprise that this man was born in Perth. He's got the thousand-yard stare of a Western Australian, and a tenacious will to survive despite the hostile conditions.

Over 74 - NZ 221/4 (Brownlie 104, Watling 25) Watling spoils what would have been another maiden by angling a couple of runs down to third man. We're half an hour from lunch, and getting there unscathed will be the target for these two now.

Over 73 - NZ 219/4 (Brownlie 104, Watling 23) A century for Brownlie! What a way to get to your first Test ton. With de Villiers chirping in his ear, and men all round the bat, he jumps out at Peterson and slams a glorious six down the ground. He was dropped twice along the way, but this has been a superb effort against the world's best seam attack on a helpful track.

Over 72 - NZ 213/4 (Brownlie 98, Watling 23) Brownlie is the one nearing a hundred, but Watling still seems the more nervous of the two Blackcap batsmen out there. Granted, he is facing the best fast bowler on the planet. So, perhaps it's a reasonable state of mind. A slightly skittish maiden.

Over 71 - NZ 213/4 (Brownlie 98, Watling 23) A change of ends for Peterson, who replaces Morkel. He ushers Brownlie to 98 with a long-hop that is tonked high over midwicket for six. Great shot. Few in the ground would begrudge this man a well-deserved ton.

Over 70 - NZ 207/4 (Brownlie 92, Watling 23) Steyn comes back into the attack. These are the important numbers in his comeback over: Brownlie is into the 90s, the fifth-wicket partnership between these two moves beyond 50, and New Zealand are now less than 100 runs away from making South Africa bat again. With the new ball 10 overs away, this will surely be a short spell from SA's spearhead.

Over 69 - NZ 204/4 (Brownlie 89, Watling 23) Just one run off the over from Morkel, but that's mainly because he's sprayed almost every ball well wide of off stump. Watling has the nous not to waft at the ball, leaving most well alone.

Over 68 - NZ 203/4 (Brownlie 89, Watling 23) The resumption brings the third umpire into play as Robin Peterson rips one past the outside edge (not a sentence I ever thought I'd write) and they go upstairs to check for the stumping. It's not even close, and everyone - including Umpire Ian Gould - has a good chuckle. Gould is such a character. He's definitely one of my favourite Umpires. After Sussex won the 1986 NatWest Trophy (with Gould as captain), his victory speech consisted of the words "watch out, Soho." If you've ever been to London, that'll mean something.

Over 67 - NZ 201/4 (Brownlie 87, Watling 23) A slight change in attack from Morkel, who is bowling much fuller and also swinging the ball away from the bat now. The change prompts a strong drive from Watling, which brings three runs and takes New Zealand past 200. Good effort. The first hour is up and these two batsmen have done wonderfully well. Time for a drink.

Over 66 - NZ 197/4 (Brownlie 86, Watling 20) Was that just a minor concentration wobble from South Africa? Did someone give Robbie P and Morne a pep talk? Either way, both bowlers have tightened up, and Peterson twirls down the second consecutive maiden.

Over 65 - NZ 197/4 (Brownlie 86, Watling 20) A much better over from Morne Morkel, who seems to be finding his rhythm now. He's consistently on or around off stump. Watling is able to leave one or two deliveries alone, but is otherwise forced into defense. A maiden for Morne.

Over 64 - NZ 197/4 (Brownlie 86, Watling 20) After starting with a maiden, Peterson has caught whatever it is that Morne's got and sent down an over that is a little all over the place. A real mixed bag. He does manage to find the inner and outer halves of Brownlie's bat, but each time runs are the result. A low full toss to end the over brings two more of them, making it six from the over. South Africa are loosening up a bit, some impatience is creeping in.

Over 63 - NZ 191/4 (Brownlie 80, Watling 20) Morkel is moving this old ball back in to the right-hander at the moment - though it's seaming, rather than reversing. His line is still a little off, however, and three runs are worked on either side of the wicket. New Zealand are now 111 runs away from making South Africa bat again.

Over 62 - NZ 188/4 (Brownlie 78, Watling 19) Ah, it's a double change as Robin Peterson comes on from, I believe, the Wynberg End. He comes round the wicket, hanging the ball in the breeze to find a touch of drift through the air. His line is nice and straight, forcing Watling to play every ball, but alas there's minimal spin and thus not too much danger. Still, he's got a slip and a short leg in, and is doing a sterling job as a Test spinning allrounder.

Over 61 - NZ 188/4 (Brownlie 78, Watling 19) We have our first change of the morning, as Morne Morkel replaces Dale Steyn. It's a typically Morkel-ish over to start with: one or two down the leg side, a full one on middle and leg that is neatly clipped to the midwicket boundary by the increasingly impressive Brownlie, and two rather scary lifters outside off to end the over. That boundary's taken Brownlie to his best score in Tests, by the way.

Over 60 - NZ 184/4 (Brownlie 74, Watling 19) Where Brownlie has been solid, Watling has looked a little skittish at times this morning. He has the South Africans leaping in anticipation as he flays a shortish ball from Philander uppishly through the gully and down to third man. That's a brave shot to play on a track that's cracking and going up and down. Nevertheless, he survives and New Zealand continue to chip away at their deficit. After the first day they had, simply making South Africa bat again would be quite an achievement.

Over 59 - NZ 179/4 (Brownlie 73, Watling 15) Steyn bluffs at a further bouncer barrage by landing his first delivery halfway down, but then goes much fuller at Brownlie. We saw plenty of attacking strokes from Brownlie yesterday, but this morning he has been utterly solid in defense. Ye shall not pass!

Over 58 - NZ 178/4 (Brownlie 72, Watling 15) Philander is a very good foil for Steyn. He doesn't have the same pace, obviously, but his gameplan still has to be treated with constant vigilance from the batsmen. Watling's concentration almost lapses as he skews a thick edge through gully on the drive, but he survives and bats on.

Over 57 - NZ 175/4 (Brownlie 72, Watling 13) Nasty stuff from Steyn. He's bowling to a plan, and that plan is to rattle Brownlie with fast, aggressive bowling. The leg slip and short leg are kept in place, and Steyn even goes so far as to come round the wicket at the batsman. I wouldn't be surprised if Steyn's had a word in his ear about what he did to Craig Cummins' face the last time SA played New Zealand at home. A comfortable chair in the pavilion seems by far the safer option for Brownlie, but he's toughing it out in brave fashion.

Over 56 - NZ 172/4 (Brownlie 72, Watling 10) Philander, also, wasn't quite at his best yesterday. One felt he was trying just a little too hard to force the breakthrough. He appears a lot more patient so far this morning, and sends down a metronomic maiden at Brownlie.

Over 55 - NZ 172/4 (Brownlie 72, Watling 10) Now, we saw something similar to this in the closing overs yesterday. Dale Steyn has asked for a man at leg gully - Hashim Amla, it is - as well as a man under the helmet at a deep short leg and it appears he's going to have a go at Brownlie with some of the short stuff. The batsman, for his part, is equal to it and even has the temerity to nudge a single off his ribs and down to fine leg. By the by, there's a real buzz around the ground today. The traffic was very heavy getting in, and lots of people have turned up to see South Africa win.

Over 54 - NZ 171/4 (Brownlie 71, Watling 10) Philander's on from the other end. Where Steyn had three slips, he's only got two but he looks no less threatening. He beats a driving Brownlie's inside edge with on that nips in, but otherwise plugs away outside off - as is his wont - and is treated with caution.

Over 53 - NZ 170/4 (Brownlie 70, Watling 10) Dale Steyn, who wasn't quite at his fire-breathing best yesterday, starts proceedings this morning with a fizzing brute of a delivery that spits past a fending Brownlie's outside edge. Steyn is fuller to Watling, who is content to have a good look and defend first up. As an aside, is there a wicketkeeper drought in New Zealand? Their last 'keeper, Kruger van Wyk, was born in Pretoria and Watling was born in Durban.

Pitch and conditions Before play begins today, we've been treated with the sight of Shaun Pollock poking and prodding at various cracks on the pitch - and in particular the ones which resulted in the dismissal of Kane Williamson and the rearing, spitting delivery from Doug Bracewell to AB de Villiers yesterday. The general prognosis is that the ball will do a bit this morning, and may do a lot if it hits one of those widening cracks. Also, it's an overcast day, and although the rain has stayed away from Newlands there is some drizzle about.

Greetings! Hello and welcome to day three of the first Test between the Proteas and the Black Caps, in a somewhat cloudy Cape Town. The mountain is decked in grey today, which is good news if you're a fast bowler, and not such great news if you're a Kiwi batsman. The visitors are still 133 runs behind in their second innings with six wickets in hand, so the Proteas pace attack will be hoping to wrap this game up as quickly as possible. Or can Dean Brownlie continue his resistance?

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