Boult's attack, and a bonus for Kallis
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the third day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin
Firdose Moonda in Dunedin
09-Mar-2012
Trent Boult stole the limelight from Chris Martin on the third morning • AFP
Fun of the day
The morning was expected to start in entertaining fashion as most expected Chris Martin to show off his No. 11 status the only way he knows how - by getting out. Instead, he survived five balls, one of which even saw him collect five runs through a piece of sloppy fielding from South Africa, which resulted in four overthrows. The real reason to watch the opening passage was provided by Trent Boult who took on Vernon Philander in a manner the five-Test-old bowler has not been attacked before. Philander bowled four length balls in succession and Boult got under each one of them, swinging hard and clearing the boundary three times.
The morning was expected to start in entertaining fashion as most expected Chris Martin to show off his No. 11 status the only way he knows how - by getting out. Instead, he survived five balls, one of which even saw him collect five runs through a piece of sloppy fielding from South Africa, which resulted in four overthrows. The real reason to watch the opening passage was provided by Trent Boult who took on Vernon Philander in a manner the five-Test-old bowler has not been attacked before. Philander bowled four length balls in succession and Boult got under each one of them, swinging hard and clearing the boundary three times.
Disappointment of the day
Even though Martin failed to repeat his heroics from the first innings, children at Dunedin's University Oval still wanted to get some memorabilia from him. They lined up on the edge of the boundary during his post-lunch spell and as he approached fine-leg held out their bats and pens for him to sign. Martin turned them down with a soft, "Sorry, I can't now, I have to concentrate on my bowling," he said. Instead of asking a second time, they simply walked away, heads bowed in disappointment. Turned out Martin - who took no wickets in South Africa's second innings - had more to be let down about than the children.
Even though Martin failed to repeat his heroics from the first innings, children at Dunedin's University Oval still wanted to get some memorabilia from him. They lined up on the edge of the boundary during his post-lunch spell and as he approached fine-leg held out their bats and pens for him to sign. Martin turned them down with a soft, "Sorry, I can't now, I have to concentrate on my bowling," he said. Instead of asking a second time, they simply walked away, heads bowed in disappointment. Turned out Martin - who took no wickets in South Africa's second innings - had more to be let down about than the children.
Chance of the day
New Zealand did not have many chances but their best one came in the evening session when Graeme Smith, on 91, chose to play a ball he could have left. He drove hard on the front foot to a full delivery from Boult and got an outside edge. It fell just short of Martin Guptill at gully, who did not even try to convince anyone that it could have been a wicket. Guptill lifted himself off the floor, picked the ball up and tossed it away as though it was of no use to him or anyone else in the New Zealand team. Boult simply stood with his hands on his head, knowing another opportunity to dismiss either of the batsmen would likely not come again too soon.
New Zealand did not have many chances but their best one came in the evening session when Graeme Smith, on 91, chose to play a ball he could have left. He drove hard on the front foot to a full delivery from Boult and got an outside edge. It fell just short of Martin Guptill at gully, who did not even try to convince anyone that it could have been a wicket. Guptill lifted himself off the floor, picked the ball up and tossed it away as though it was of no use to him or anyone else in the New Zealand team. Boult simply stood with his hands on his head, knowing another opportunity to dismiss either of the batsmen would likely not come again too soon.
Service of the day
Although the food at the University Oval has been exceptional - and been in steady supply in the press area - nothing matches trying some of the local cuisine. Hotdogs in New Zealand are not the traditional sausage in roll type. Instead, they meat comes served in between slices of bread, something that has intrigued foreigners. Television commentators Ian Smith and Barry Richards were able to sample some of the cuisine when two children from Otago Boys High School brought some into the commentary box for them. They had to pay for it but seemed to enjoy the experience. For a traditional hotdog in New Zealand one has to ask for an "American hotdog," to get the bun as well.
Although the food at the University Oval has been exceptional - and been in steady supply in the press area - nothing matches trying some of the local cuisine. Hotdogs in New Zealand are not the traditional sausage in roll type. Instead, they meat comes served in between slices of bread, something that has intrigued foreigners. Television commentators Ian Smith and Barry Richards were able to sample some of the cuisine when two children from Otago Boys High School brought some into the commentary box for them. They had to pay for it but seemed to enjoy the experience. For a traditional hotdog in New Zealand one has to ask for an "American hotdog," to get the bun as well.
Bonus runs of the day
Jacques Kallis would not have minded facing more overs and leaving more balls on his way to his 42nd century. The way he reached it suggested New Zealand were the ones in a hurry to see him bring up the milestone. With 10 overs left in the day, Kallis pushed to the covers and set off for what could only be a quick single. He did not have to rush at all though, because the throw that came in ricocheted off his thigh pad to the long-on boundary to give him five runs instead of one and bring up a patient, hard-fought century.
Jacques Kallis would not have minded facing more overs and leaving more balls on his way to his 42nd century. The way he reached it suggested New Zealand were the ones in a hurry to see him bring up the milestone. With 10 overs left in the day, Kallis pushed to the covers and set off for what could only be a quick single. He did not have to rush at all though, because the throw that came in ricocheted off his thigh pad to the long-on boundary to give him five runs instead of one and bring up a patient, hard-fought century.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent