Lucky No.13, and a dizzy Duminy
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day of the third Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Wellington
Firdose Moonda at Basin Reserve
25-Mar-2012
JP Duminy was struck a blow on the helmet • Getty Images
Lucky No. 13 of the day
Both Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy were playing in their 13th Test match but the traditionally unlucky number did not bring any misfortune for either. Petersen reached his third Test century in the second over of the day, playing a cut off the back foot, to end questions over whether he is the right man to partner Graeme Smith at the top of the order. Duminy also reached the three-figure mark, although his took a little longer.
Both Alviro Petersen and JP Duminy were playing in their 13th Test match but the traditionally unlucky number did not bring any misfortune for either. Petersen reached his third Test century in the second over of the day, playing a cut off the back foot, to end questions over whether he is the right man to partner Graeme Smith at the top of the order. Duminy also reached the three-figure mark, although his took a little longer.
Scoreboard correction of the day
Robin Peterson may have wondered if he'd woken up a dream when he looked at the scoreboard to see that he had opened the batting and scored a pile of runs. The manual board at the Basin Reserve had spelt Alviro Petersen's last name incorrectly for the first two days of the match and corrected it on day three. It's a mistake they should not be taken to task too badly for getting wrong - Petersen is the most unusual spelling of the common South African surname which is usually spelt as with an "o" as in Peterson or the Afrikaans version Pietersen.
Robin Peterson may have wondered if he'd woken up a dream when he looked at the scoreboard to see that he had opened the batting and scored a pile of runs. The manual board at the Basin Reserve had spelt Alviro Petersen's last name incorrectly for the first two days of the match and corrected it on day three. It's a mistake they should not be taken to task too badly for getting wrong - Petersen is the most unusual spelling of the common South African surname which is usually spelt as with an "o" as in Peterson or the Afrikaans version Pietersen.
Drop of the day
New Zealand could not risk not taking their chances as South Africa offered them rarely. But luckily, their dropped chance only cost one run. Morne Morkel slogged hard into the leg side off Mark Gillespie and found the outside edge. Martin Guptill had to run from the slips and chase the ball back over his head and got there, only to let it slip through his fingers. Vernon Philander did not keep Gillespie waiting at all as he smacked the next ball to deep midwicket and gave the New Zealand seamer even more success against South Africa. Gillespie was such a hit with the locals that one of the kids waiting to greet him offered him $2 for his armband, which Gillespie politely declined.
New Zealand could not risk not taking their chances as South Africa offered them rarely. But luckily, their dropped chance only cost one run. Morne Morkel slogged hard into the leg side off Mark Gillespie and found the outside edge. Martin Guptill had to run from the slips and chase the ball back over his head and got there, only to let it slip through his fingers. Vernon Philander did not keep Gillespie waiting at all as he smacked the next ball to deep midwicket and gave the New Zealand seamer even more success against South Africa. Gillespie was such a hit with the locals that one of the kids waiting to greet him offered him $2 for his armband, which Gillespie politely declined.
Body blow of the day
South Africa have already suffered two injuries, to Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla, and could have suffered a third. Duminy was struck flush on the badge of his helmet while fielding at short leg. Daniel Flynn inflicted the damage, after flicking a full ball around the corner and into Duminy's helmet. The impact of the ball caused the grill to make a dent on Duminy's nose but he recovered quickly after a bleed and a small spell of dizziness. Amla is normally the man who fields in that position so Duminy could be forgiven for being out of practice but it seemed that he just did not see the ball.
South Africa have already suffered two injuries, to Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla, and could have suffered a third. Duminy was struck flush on the badge of his helmet while fielding at short leg. Daniel Flynn inflicted the damage, after flicking a full ball around the corner and into Duminy's helmet. The impact of the ball caused the grill to make a dent on Duminy's nose but he recovered quickly after a bleed and a small spell of dizziness. Amla is normally the man who fields in that position so Duminy could be forgiven for being out of practice but it seemed that he just did not see the ball.
Committee of the day
The last time Marchant de Lange bowled in a Test match, he took 7 for 84 in the first innings. That was during his debut against Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day Test last year. Since then, de Lange has known that he will only get a game in the case of injury to another bowler and that happened here in Wellington. Understandably, there would be nerves and massive expectation to live up to. When de Lange was handed the ball at the start of the 18th over, he was immediately met with a small committee to offer advice. Vernon Philander tossed the ball to de Lange and said a few words from mid-off before Dale Steyn ran in from mid-on to add his bit. None of it seemed to make a difference as de Lange started with a loosener that gave Guptill an easy two through a midwicket.
The last time Marchant de Lange bowled in a Test match, he took 7 for 84 in the first innings. That was during his debut against Sri Lanka in the Boxing Day Test last year. Since then, de Lange has known that he will only get a game in the case of injury to another bowler and that happened here in Wellington. Understandably, there would be nerves and massive expectation to live up to. When de Lange was handed the ball at the start of the 18th over, he was immediately met with a small committee to offer advice. Vernon Philander tossed the ball to de Lange and said a few words from mid-off before Dale Steyn ran in from mid-on to add his bit. None of it seemed to make a difference as de Lange started with a loosener that gave Guptill an easy two through a midwicket.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent