DE SWARDT SHOWS RESILLIENCE FOLLOWING RAVINDRA’s TRIPLE BLOW
In the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand, Ruan de Swardt’s determined half-century staged a revival for South Africa after Rachin Ravindra’s triple strike had them in trouble.
Despite a shaky start, the visitors managed to reach 220/6 at stumps.
Electing to bat first, South Africa suffered an early setback when Clyde Fortuin fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips off the bowling of Neil Wagner.
However, Raynard van Tonder responded with a boundary off his first ball.
Soon after, skipper Neil Brand fell to debutant William O’Rourke.
Although Van Tonder and Zubayr Hamza got starts, they failed to convert them into substantial scores.
Van Tonder fell to a wide short delivery from Wagner, while Hamza became Ravindra’s first victim.
Keegan Petersen edged Ravindra behind to the slip fielder, leaving South Africa struggling at 101/5.
A crucial 49-run partnership between de Swardt and David Bedingham steadied South Africa’s innings momentarily.
However, Bedingham’s dismissal, off Ravindra’s bowling, halted their progress.
Despite this setback, de Swardt continued to stand firm, finding an able partner in Shaun von Berg.
Even Ravindra’s return to the attack couldn’t break their partnership as New Zealand took the second new ball.
Although Tim Southee managed to find the outside edge, de Swardt reached his fifty with a well-timed drive through the covers.
South Africa will now look to this resilient pair to guide them past 300 on the second day.
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