Steyn bounces back into the Test Arena

Durban: Dale Steyn announced his return to the Test match arena in emphatic style with a two-wicket new ball burst on the second morning of the first Sunfoil Test match against New Zealand at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Saturday.

He dismissed both the opening batsmen in a spell of 6-4-3-2 to leave New Zealand on 15/2 at the lunch break and, with Vernon Philander also impressing with his opening burst which included a dropped catch, the Standard Bank Proteas first innings total of 265 was starting to take on a more substantial look.

The new ball pair showed just what the Proteas had missed for most of the previous season and gave them just the impetus they needed as they attempt to move up the ICC Test rankings.

After a delayed start for the second day in a row the Proteas managed to add 29 runs to their overnight total, thanks in the main to a 27-run partnership for the last wicket between Kagiso Rabada and Dane Piedt. Rabada finished unbeaten on 32 (60 balls, 5 fours) and looks like adding valuable lower order batting skills to his proven bowling ability.

The last two wickets for New Zealand were shared by Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Regrettably the rest of the day’s play was lost to rain and bad light.

Brief scores
South Africa - 263 (Amla 53, Wagner 3-47, Boult 3-52)
New Zealand - 15 for 2 (Steyn 2-3)
Status - New Zealand trail by 248 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
West Indies vs Bangladesh - 3rd T20I South Africa vs Pakistan - 2nd ODI 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 21, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan - December 22, 12:00 GMT 2nd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 232 runs 3rd Test - Australia v India at Brisbane Match drawn

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