Day 32 - Monday 5th February 2024

Day two of the test match dawned bright and sunny; once again a clear blue with not a cloud to bother the sun.

Away from the hotel at 09:15 with the plan to catch the 09:28 bus ..... no sooner had I arrived at the bus stop than the late running previous service arrived, so I was running early. Into the ground, and I settled in exactly the same spot as yesterday. It seemed a lot quieter than yesterday, but then today is a working day so that's not unexpected.

As I took my space and applied sun cream I was approached by a chap for a chat about the progress of the game, and half way through I realised I was speaking to Jeremy Coney who was a New Zealand cricketer from when I grew up. We had a good chat about the state of the game, and he told me that Kane Williamson isn't one to talk much about the wickets he plays on, but had said how difficult yesterday had been with the lateral movement, and also the unexpected bounce. I guess that accounts for the extravagant way he was leaving the ball, making sure he got everything out of the way.

Play resumed at 11:00 with Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravendra both looking to add to their overnight centuries on a wicket that was definitely a different colour to yesterday. By the end of the first hour the overnight score of 258 for 2 had  moved on to 270 for 2. In over 95 the unexpected happened. Kane Williamson who had played such a watchful innings suddenly opened up and played a straight drive. The problem was that he was early on the shot, and skyed a chance to Moreki at mid-off which he took comfortably. Kane Williamson departed for a well made 118, and Daryl Mitchell joined the fray. The score was 271 for 3.

In the 103rd over the Kiwi 300 was raised by Ravindra with a pull through mid-wicket for 4, and in the 111th over the 50 run partnership was completed for Ravindra and Mitchell. Lunch was taken with the score on 330 for 3 off 114 overs.

A Mitchell boundary 4 bought up New Zealand's 350 in the 118th over, and a huge straight 6 from Mitchell to raise the 100 run partnership. In over 121, Mitchell dances down the wicket and absolutely connects with a ball from the South African captain, Brand. He hit it straight and hard right at Brand, who held on for a fantastic catch. Mitchell just stared at him in disbelief before the long trudge back to the hutch for 34 runs.

Mark Blundell joined Ravindra but didn't last long, falling for 11 runs when he holed out at Mid-wicket. In over 127 the score was not 391 for 5.

Drinks were taken after the 129th over with Ravindra tantalisingly on 199, and the score on 391 for 5. For several overs Ravindra just hadn't been able to get on strike as Blundell and then Phillips took singles off the last ball of each over. However, he got his chance in over 130 and completed his double century; not bad going for someone who before this game hadn't scored a test century.

The 400 was reached in over 131, and the 450 in over 136 with a massive straight 6 from Phillips that landed about 20 metres to my right. Phillips was playing a fantastic entertaining cameo, but it all came to an end as he tried one big shot too many. He struck the ball straight at me, and de Swardt took a good catch above his head on the boundary.

In over 140 the ground was stunned; Ravindra went to hit a ball that just didn't get up, and he was bowled following a magnificent innings. It was one of those rare moments in sport where there was just a stunned silence before the ground rose in applause. With the score on 474 for 7, Ravindra departed for a magnificent 240.

Tea was taken after over 141 with the score on 475 for 7. Santner fell in over 142 for 2 runs, and Matt Henry replaced him. Henry and his partner Kyle Jamieson seemed to be in a hurry, and New Zealand reached 500 in the 143rd over. Henry was having fun, and struck 27 off 8 balls before he fell to a good catch on the boundary. Tim Southee didn't bother the scorers as the New Zealand innings was wrapped up for 511 runs.

South African skipper Brand ended up with 6 wickets on debut. I doubt he thought that he'd be playing such a big part before play commenced.

South Africa made a promising start to their innings with openers Brand and Moore looking fairly comfortable. That is until an appeal for caught behind, and Brand eventually trudges back to the pavilion. The replay on the big screen shows that he tried to leave a ball, and got a bottom edge through to the wicket keeper. South Africa were 26 for 1. van Tonder didn't last long, being trapped plumb LBW for the second wicket in the 10th over bowled by Jamieson.   

Over 15 and the next wicket falls; Matt Henry puts one in short at Moore's body, and he can only fend it into the off side. Devon Conway makes good ground to take a diving catch and leave South Africa struggling on 30 for 3. How quickly things can change in this game!

Bedingham brings up the South African 50 in the 18th over, but the next wicket falls in over 24 as Hamza gets in a bit of a muddle. Santner bowls and Hamza gets gloves and arm to the ball, which then loops onto the stumps. The close of play came after 28 overs, and South Africa are struggling a bit at 80 for 4.

It has been a brilliant day of cricket that closed at 18:30, and by 19:00 I'd caught the bus and was back at my hotel. Tomorrow is a public holiday in New Zealand, so I'm expecting a bigger crowd again tomorrow; I'll need to get there early to secure my normal spot ...... although sitting on the grass was beginning to lose it's appeal this afternoon; there was much numbness in the nether regions.