David Bedingham's Century Gives South Africa Lead in Second Test Against New Zealand
Underappreciated Proteas Side Takes Control Despite Absence of Top Players
On the third day of the second Test here, South Africa's underappreciated side led by 266 runs because to a century from David Bedingham on Thursday.
With one ball remaining in the day's play, New Zealand lost Devon Conway and, at stumps, were 40/1, 226 down after two complete days of play. Just seconds before the planned conclusion, on the fifth ball of the fourteenth over, Conway went leg before to off-spinner Dane Piedt.
A Proteas side that had been written off before their trip started controlled the game when Bedingham was at the bat on route to a career-best 110 and during a 98-run stand with Keegan Peterson (43), setting up a challenging chase for New Zealand.
The majority of South Africa's top players are absent since they are participating in the local T20 franchise competition at home. They were in danger of being the first Proteas side to lose a Test series against New Zealand, having lost the first of two Tests by 281 runs. South Africa now has prospects of breaking that record thanks to Bedingham. However, the gap was eventually considerably narrower as the visitors let up 33 runs for their last six wickets.
That was because of tall fast bowler William O'Rourke, who had the greatest innings numbers for a New Zealander making his Test debut with 5/34.
"This is a truly unique day," O'Rourke said. "There was some bounce and carry, and I felt like the ball was coming out well while I was running in." It pains me to say it, but there were a few butterflies.
Brief results: NZ 211 & 40/1; SA 242 & 235 (David Bedingham 110; William O'Rourke 5/34).
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