The Hindu : Sport : Oram leads New Zealand's recovery

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 17, 2006

Sport

Sport

Oram leads New Zealand's recovery

CENTURION: All-rounder Jacob Oram, playing in his first Test match in more than a year, took New Zealand to a first innings lead with a century on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion Park on Sunday.

Oram hit a career-best 133 as New Zealand recovered from a disastrous start to make 327, a lead of 51. South Africa was four for no loss in its second innings at stumps.

New Zealand lost its first five wickets for 45 runs before Oram led the recovery. The fightback started when the tall left-hander put on 44 for the sixth wicket with Brendon McCullum, who batted aggressively for 31.

Superb stand

Then Oram and Daniel Vettori (81) combined in a superb 183-run stand for the seventh wicket.

It was the second-highest stand for New Zealand against South Africa, exceeded only by the 225 that Oram put on with Chris Cairns in Auckland two seasons ago, also for the seventh wicket.

It was Oram's third Test century and his second against South Africa. Makhaya Ntini took five for 94, the 12th five-wicket haul for the South African fast bowler, after plunging the New Zealand innings into disarray when he took the first three wickets.

Ntini bowled Hamish Marshall in his second over to claim his 250th Test wicket.

Then he claimed the key wicket of New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, playing in his 100th Test, for nought.

Scott Styris was caught at gully before Shaun Pollock had opening batsman Peter Fulton caught behind. Nathan Astle edged a fast outswinger from Dale Steyn to Boucher, who took the catch to complete his 350th dismissal in Tests — the fourth man in the world to reach the mark.

McCullum took the fight to the bowlers, hitting 31 off 30 balls before top-edging Jacques Kallis to backward point.

Earlier, James Franklin and Chris Martin took the last two South African first innings wickets.

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