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Collin de Grandhomme‘s magnificent century, followed by a spectacular bowling display, helped New Zealand fightback against South Africa on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Resuming their overnight score of 157/5, the pair of De Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell formed a splendid partnership of 133 runs for the sixth wicket to ensure hosts don’t stay too much behind the game. While Grandhomme smashed a brilliant century, Mitchell hit a much-needed fifty.
Mitchell scored a brilliant 60 off 134 deliveries before Keshav Maharaj trapped him in front to break the crucial partnership. From there on, the hosts kept losing wickets at regular intervals, but Grandhomme held his wicket and managed to stay unbeaten on 120 to take the team to 293, cutting down the deficit to 71 runs.
For the visitors, Kagiso Rabada continued from where he left on the second day, taking important wickets to keep the momentum away from New Zealand. Rabada went on to claim his 11th Test five-wicket haul, giving away 60 runs in 19 overs, including three maidens. Marco Jansen also supported his senior teammate, picking up a 4-fer for 98 in 22 overs.
In the second innings, New Zealand’s pace battery didn’t allow South Africa to settle in as the tourists ended Day 3 with 140/5 on the board, leading the home team by 211 runs. Tim Southee (2/28) and Neil Wagner (2/44) bagged a couple of wickets each to keep things under control.
“Went well for me today, and the boys got a decent score on the board. Hopefully, we’ll be in a good position tomorrow by lunch. (On coming back into the team) I’ve been enjoying my cricket lately and try to take whatever I’ve been getting. It’s good to be back. I executed and did what I needed to do. It’s nice to do well for the team today and put us in a good position,” said De Grandhomme after the end of the day’s play.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
https://twitter.com/sparknzsport/status/1497745819487055873
What a test innings from this man Colin De Grandhomme! @sparknzsport @BLACKCAPS #NZvSA #hesgotabighouse pic.twitter.com/96tcveKJpJ
— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) February 26, 2022
Colin de Grandhomme is kind of that X-factor in the NZ batting unit.
Hit, hit, miss… when more often than it stays hit, he can create chaos in the opposition ranks.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) February 27, 2022
Colin de Grandhomme is a world class cricketer and the NZ test team is better with him in it.
Those who argue this point dont understand the game.
Sorry.— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) February 26, 2022
Kagiso Rabada secures his 11th 5-wicket-haul in an innings after claiming 5/60 in New Zealand's first innings#NZvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/vf9WD8Th31
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) February 27, 2022
An enthralling third day in Christchurch comes to a close with South Africa building a handy lead in the second Test against New Zealand. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/Dfx3X0LIBk
— ICC (@ICC) February 27, 2022
Hm. Really hoped the tail would try and hang around a bit longer to pull us closer to South Africa. Incredible work from CDG, not to mention Daryl Mitchell as well. This could have and maybe should have been far worse. Bring on the bowling. #NZvSA
— Lily Franklin (@lilyffranklin13) February 27, 2022
Colin de Grandhomme is a world class cricketer and the NZ test team is better with him in it.
Those who argue this point dont understand the game.
Sorry.— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) February 26, 2022
Somehow find a way to play both Rickelton and Bedingham against Bangladesh if the latter is interested in playing for SA. Should be end of Aiden Markram the test batsman. #NZvSA
— Prithvi (@Puneite_) February 27, 2022
New Zealand was 91 for 5 in the first innings, trailing by 273 runs then Grandhomme smashed unbeaten 120 runs from 158 balls including 12 fours and 3 sixes – he has been out of the team due to injury and then the rise of Daryl Mitchell but has cameback strongly. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/fmAOZhlXU2
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 27, 2022
