WELLINGTON, 28 March 2004 — Two century partnerships put South Africa in a good position on 237 for three at the close of the second day’s play in the third and final Test against New Zealand yesterday.
Chasing the home team’s first innings total of 297, openers Herschelle Gibbs and skipper Graeme Smith shared a stand of 103 before Jacques Rudolph and Martin van Jaarsveld followed up with an unbeaten alliance of 101 for the fourth wicket.
Rudolph ended the day undefeated on 60, with van Jaarsveld 48 not out, although New Zealand did not help their cause by dropping two catches. Van Jaarsveld was given a life on 23 when he chopped Chris Cairns above 6-foot 7-inch Jacob Oram’s head but the gully fielder could not hold on to the ball.
Rudolph was then dropped by Mathew Sinclair at mid-wicket, a relatively simple head-high chance which went straight to him.
Earlier, Smith and Gibbs gave South Africa a flying start before the captain went for 47 after chopping a ball from Cairns on to his stumps.
Gibbs was dismissed for 77 by a brilliant catch from substitute fielder James Marshall, who hung on to a full-blooded drive at point off Chris Martin’s bowling.
South Africa should have lost Gibbs when he was 46 as he edged an attempted pull off left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.
Television replays showed he nicked the ball but umpire Asoka de Silva of Sri Lanka was unmoved. Left-hander Gary Kirsten, playing in his last Test, was the third wicket to fall, caught behind for one in Martin’s next over.
All-rounder Jacques Kallis, suffering from a torn abdominal muscle, was pushed down the order and has yet to bat.
New Zealand added 49 runs in the morning session after resuming at 248 for six, Cairns hitting 69 and Oram 34.
South Africa spinner Nicky Boje took four for 65 and all rounder Shaun Pollock claimed three for 85.
