Kiwis lose early wickets

PORT ELIZABETH, DEC. 3. New Zealand lost two wickets without wiping out its first innings deficit on the fourth day of the second Test against New Zealand at St. George's Park on Sunday. The Kiwis were 58 for two at lunch, still five runs behind.

Earlier, South Africa lost its last two wickets without adding to its overnight total of 361 for eight. Chris Martin trapped Donald leg before for nine and Shayne O'Connor had Nicky Boje caught behind for 51 as New Zealand needed only 16 balls to wrap up the innings.

Donald struck with his 10th ball when Craig Spearman was leg before for nought to a ball that swung in and trapped him in front.

Mark Richardson and Mathew Sinclair put on 50 for the second wicket before Sinclair was lbw for 17 to Nicky Boje when he went back to a ball which hurried through straight. Richardson was beaten several times but survived to remain unbeaten on 33 at lunch.

After three days of hot, sunny weather, the fourth day was cooler with a brisk north westerly breeze. On a slow pitch, both teams regarded the new ball as the key to bowling out their opponents, with virtually no assistance for the pace bowlers when the ball became softer. Boje, though, showed spin could be a factor with some variable bounce apparent.

Maiden century for McKenzie

On Saturday, a stylish maiden century by Neil McKenzie enabled South Africa to regain the initiative.

The 25-year-old, whose father Kevin played for South Africa in unofficial Tests in the 1980s, hit 120 with nineteen hits to the fence.

McKenzie and Nicky Boje shared an eighth wicket stand of 136, a record for South Africa against New Zealand, after it had seemed the tourists might gain a first innings advantage.

They came together when South Africa was 209 for seven, still 89 behind.

S. Africa on way to win

PORT ELIZABETH, DEC. 3. Chasing a target of 86 for a win, South Africa was 29 for one in its second innings at stumps on Day four of the second cricket Test against New Zealand here on Sunday. Gary Kirsten with 22 and Jacques Kallis with 6 were at the crease. Earlier New Zealand was bowled out for 148 in its second essay.

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