South Africa's local sub and Duminy's day off
ESPNcricinfo presents Plays of the Day for the fourth day of the third Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Wellington
Firdose Moonda in Wellington
26-Mar-2012
Dale Steyn had the last laugh after a bit of jeering from the crowd • AFP
The substitute
It's not unusual to see South Africans who have become New Zealanders - the numbers reflect that almost 50,000 have emigrated here. One of them is Kruger van Wyk, who played in all three Test matches. Another is Barry Rhodes, a first-class cricketer with Wellington. Today, it was South Africa Rhodes turned out for, however. With the visitors carrying two injured players, in Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, and needing to send Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Robin Peterson home, they needed an extra fielder and Rhodes was it. A middle-order batsman, Rhodes was born in Port Elizabeth but now lives in Wellington, and has played four first-class games for them.
It's not unusual to see South Africans who have become New Zealanders - the numbers reflect that almost 50,000 have emigrated here. One of them is Kruger van Wyk, who played in all three Test matches. Another is Barry Rhodes, a first-class cricketer with Wellington. Today, it was South Africa Rhodes turned out for, however. With the visitors carrying two injured players, in Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, and needing to send Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Robin Peterson home, they needed an extra fielder and Rhodes was it. A middle-order batsman, Rhodes was born in Port Elizabeth but now lives in Wellington, and has played four first-class games for them.
Non-wicket of the day
South Africa searched for wickets in the morning session but did not find the one that was staring at them. Brendon McCullum was on 22 when he inside edged off Marchant de Lange and was caught by Mark Boucher. De Lange's appeal was stifled and no-one joined in. Replays showed there was definitely contact between bat and ball, and that Boucher completed the catch cleanly. Had South Africa reviewed it, they would have had McCullum even earlier.
South Africa searched for wickets in the morning session but did not find the one that was staring at them. Brendon McCullum was on 22 when he inside edged off Marchant de Lange and was caught by Mark Boucher. De Lange's appeal was stifled and no-one joined in. Replays showed there was definitely contact between bat and ball, and that Boucher completed the catch cleanly. Had South Africa reviewed it, they would have had McCullum even earlier.
Duminy drops
JP Duminy took a blow to the head while fielding at short leg on Sunday afternoon but the knock was not serious enough to cause any concussion. He did seem to be functioning at less than optimum though, when he put down three catches in the morning session. The first two were tough chances, off Martin Guptill's outside edge. Both went to the left of Duminy at gully, which he could not reach despite diving full length. The third was far easier, off McCullum, when the ball was slashed straight to Duminy at catchable height above his knees, although it was dying on him. Now, he could not get his hands around it in time.
JP Duminy took a blow to the head while fielding at short leg on Sunday afternoon but the knock was not serious enough to cause any concussion. He did seem to be functioning at less than optimum though, when he put down three catches in the morning session. The first two were tough chances, off Martin Guptill's outside edge. Both went to the left of Duminy at gully, which he could not reach despite diving full length. The third was far easier, off McCullum, when the ball was slashed straight to Duminy at catchable height above his knees, although it was dying on him. Now, he could not get his hands around it in time.
Injury of the day
The Test match has been headlined by injury so far and day four resulted in the first on the New Zealand side. Ross Taylor was the wounded party after he was smacked on the wrist by a Morne Morkel short ball and evidence of damage was immediate. Taylor's left arm had grown a massive swelling in the minutes after the blow and he spent a substantial amount of time being treated by the physio and having magic spray applied. Although it did not look as though Taylor should continue, he chose to stay on but only lasted one ball before realising that he could not go on. He was taken to the hospital for scans and was diagnosed with a fractured forearm.
The Test match has been headlined by injury so far and day four resulted in the first on the New Zealand side. Ross Taylor was the wounded party after he was smacked on the wrist by a Morne Morkel short ball and evidence of damage was immediate. Taylor's left arm had grown a massive swelling in the minutes after the blow and he spent a substantial amount of time being treated by the physio and having magic spray applied. Although it did not look as though Taylor should continue, he chose to stay on but only lasted one ball before realising that he could not go on. He was taken to the hospital for scans and was diagnosed with a fractured forearm.
Last laugh of the day
Dale Steyn had to put up with jeers from the crowd after he let a ball sneak through his legs for four when he as fielding at mid-off - Kane Williamson drove a Marchant de Lange full toss solidly in Steyn's direction, which quick should have picked up without much fuss. Instead, his little lapse of concentration gave the New Zealand crowd something to snigger about. It didn't take long for Steyn to have the last laugh though. In the next over, Dean Brownlie top-edged a pull to fine leg and Steyn had to make good ground and judge it well to take the catch to his left. He crashlanded while completing it but was soon on his feet with a thumbs up for the crowd behind him, who had very little to say.
Dale Steyn had to put up with jeers from the crowd after he let a ball sneak through his legs for four when he as fielding at mid-off - Kane Williamson drove a Marchant de Lange full toss solidly in Steyn's direction, which quick should have picked up without much fuss. Instead, his little lapse of concentration gave the New Zealand crowd something to snigger about. It didn't take long for Steyn to have the last laugh though. In the next over, Dean Brownlie top-edged a pull to fine leg and Steyn had to make good ground and judge it well to take the catch to his left. He crashlanded while completing it but was soon on his feet with a thumbs up for the crowd behind him, who had very little to say.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent