Day 33 - Tuesday 6 February 2024

Ladies and gentlemen (and everyone else), I have to admit to being wrong! I thought that today could be the final day of the first test, but happily for me (and I'm sorry to you non cricket oficionados) the game has not finished yet. There will be more of the same tomorrow, although I don't see it extending into day 5 ..... perhaps it's time for me to start looking for things to do in the Bay of Plenty on Thursday?

Away from the hotel for the 9:38 bus; there was a Sunday timetable running today is New Zealand's national day; Waitangi Day. This celebrates the signing of the treaty that is considered to be New Zealand's founding document.

The morning had been overcast so far, but as I arrived at the ground at 10:00 I could see that the clouds were dissipating. By the start of play the clouds had all burned off, and we were back to clear blue skies with no cloud in sight; it was going to be another hot one!

South Africa resumed on 80 for 4, and the first wicket of the day took only 5 overs to arrive. Bedingham (who I keep wanting to call Bedingfield ... whatever happened to him?) attempted a pull, and got a leading edge that was caught for 32 runs The new batter was de Swardt with the score on 83 for 5. Two balls later it was 83 for 6 as de Swart was dismissed LBW after review; it was given out on the field, and the review said that it was 'Umpires call' on whether it would have hit the stumps, so the onfield decision stood.

South Africa reached 100 in the 41st over, after which morning drinks were taken. Over 52 and we have the next wicket as Fortuin is caught driving. Lunch was taken after over 56 with the score on 129 for 7. Over 65 and the next wicket falls; Petersen was caught by Williamson at mid off. With the score at 152 for 8, Moreki was the next bunny in the headlights.

Unfair; perhaps, but he lasted only 6 overs before he tried a big shot against Santner that he missed and was bowled for 5. Last man in was Paterson, who was bowled by Ravindra for 1 run. South Africa were dismissed for 162; 349 runs behind.

In cricket, if the team who bats second does not get enough runs, the other team has the option to ask them to bat again or 'follow on'. South Africa were definitely in this particular hole being 349 in arrears on the first innings, but New Zealand decided against enforcing the follow on and came out to bat. I can only think of two reasons for this. Firstly to give the bowlers a rest, but as they bowled South Africa out in less then 73 overs it doesn't seem to apply. Secondly, because they didn't want to bat last on a wicket that may deteriorate on the last couple of days. This seems far more likely to me.

New Zealand started their second innings, and before long they has lost their first wicket as Latham was out LBW to Paterson. Kane Williamson, one of the best batsmen in the world and scorer of a century in the first innings, came to the wicket. When tea came after 10 overs, the score was 27 for 1.

The New Zealand 50 and lead of 400 came up in consecutive balls in over 16. The 50 run partnership between Conway and Williamson arrived in over 19, and Williamson's 50 in over 23. Kane Williamson seemed to be on a mission, scoring at an exceptional rate for test cricket. Drinks were taken after over 27 with the score on 87 for 2.

Over 29 and Williamson is dropped at deep mid wicket; a steepling chance that was floored much to the delight of the home crowd. Over 30 and Conway brings up the New Zealand 100 with a massive 6, but next ball he tries to repeat and is caught by the same player who just dropped Williamson  ..... they do say the ball tends to follow you when you make an error! Conway departs for 23, and New Zealand were now 102 for 2. Enter the double centurion from the first inning, Ravindra.

This innings, double glory for Ravindra was not to be; in over 37 he was caught at cover for 12. New Zealand's lead was now 492. To put this in perspective, the world record successful chase in a fourth innings was 418; a game I was fortunate enough to be at.

New Zealand continued to accumulate runs very quickly; the 150 was raised in over 39, and Kane Williamson completed his second century of the match in over 40. Over 42 and his innings came to an end. He advanced down the wicket to hit Brand, but missed the ball and was out stumped. Blundell came in, and at the close of play just before 18:30 the score was 179 for 4; a massive and dare I say unassailable lead of 528 .... history suggests that it is.

Once again I was lucky with the busses, and was back at my hotel just 25 minutes after the close of play. I fancied a change this evening, so ordered in a pizza.

One non cricket item for consideration today. I'm getting to the stage where I need to do some laundry; it's not urgent and imminent but its starting to get needful. The laundry prices here are frankly ludicrous; £5 per t-shirt seemed a little excessive. I checked at reception, but they said there is no wriggle room as they outsource their laundry. I've checked my next accommodation in Rotorua, and they have DIY laundry facilities, so guess what I'll be doing on my first evening there!

Tomorrow I'll be back at the cricket for hopefully the completion of the game .... I cannot imagine that New Zealand will continue to bat tomorrow or that the South Africans will be able to last more than a couple of sessions ..... but then, what do I know? If the game were totally predictable then it'd be awfully dull (yes, I do realise!!!).