CRICKET: Kiwis fight back

A battling 82 from Shane Thomson and three wickets from Simon Doull pulled New Zealand back into contention in the second Test against South Africa at Kingsmead yesterday. When bad light ended play half an hour before schedule, South Africa had slipped to 122 for 5, 63 runs behind.

Danny Morrison made the early breakthrough in the fourth over of the South African innings - inducing an airy shot outside the off-stump from Andrew Hudson, resulting in a straightforward catch to Bryan Young.

John Commins, playing in his first Test, shared solid partnerships of 48 and 49 with Gary Kirsten (29) and Daryll Cullinan (34). His 159-minute innings ended when he was caught hooking.

Earlier, Thomson and Morrison had extended their ninth- wicket partnership to 66 before Thomson fell for 82 shortly before lunch. He was dismissed by De Villiers, who also grabbed the last wicket of Chris Pringle to finish with 5 for 64.

(Second day; New Zealand won toss)

New Zealand - First Innings (Overnight: 130-8)

S A Thomson c Kirsten b De Villiers 82

D K Morrison not out 24

C Pringle c Kirsten b De Villiers 0

Extras (lb4 nb3) 7

Total 185

Fall (cont): 9-180.

Bowling: De Villiers 24-7-64-5 (nb1); Jack 16-7-32-2 (nb1); Matthews 19-11-37-0; McMillan 19-8-40-3 (nb1); Cronje 4-1-8-0.

South Africa - First Innings A C Hudson c Young b Morrison 8

G Kirsten c Parore b Doull 29

J B Commins c Hart b Doull 30

D J Cullinan lbw b Doull 34

*H J Cronje not out 10

J N Rhodes c Fleming b Hart 1

B M McMillan not out 0

Extras (lb3 nb7) 10

Total (for 5) 122

Fall: 1-13 2-61 3-110 4-111 5-122.

To bat: D.J Richardson, C R Matthews, P S de Villiers, S D Jack.

Bowling: Morrison 11.2-3-28-1 (nb4); Doull 16-5-42-3 (nb1); Pringle 7-2-16-0; Hart 12-2-33-1 (nb2).