Sinclair stands firm for New Zealand
Mathew Sinclair scored his second Test half-century to
prop up New Zealand on the opening day of the second
Test against South Africa on Thursday.
New Zealand, who lost the toss and were asked to bat,
were 145 for four at tea with Sinclair 54 not out and Craig
McMillan on 22, having shared an unbroken fifth-wicket
stand of 44.
Sinclair has been batting for almost two-and-a-half hours
in which time he has faced 119 balls and hit nine fours.
The last time he reached 50 was on his test debut
against West Indies 13 innings previously, when he went
on to score 214.
Openers Mark Richardson and Craig Spearman put on
43 before Spearman, on 16, turned a straight delivery
from fast bowler Allan Donald onto his hip and into the
hands of Gary Kirsten at short leg.
Half-an-hour before lunch a ball from paceman Makhaya
Ntini pitched on left-hander Richardson's off-stump and
nipped between his bat and pad to bowl him for 26.
New Zealand went to lunch on 66 for two, and in the 10th
over of the second session captain Stephen Fleming
mistimed a straight drive to a slower ball from Shaun
Pollock and gave a return catch, having scored 14.
The dismissal ended a third-wicket stand of 40 between
Fleming and Sinclair.
Two overs later New Zealand were 101 for four after
Pollock struck again by trapping Nathan Astle in front for
two with the batsman having offered no stroke.
Donald has been limited to eight overs by a sore heel
which has seen him leave the field several times for
treatment.
Mail Cricket Editor
