South Africa dominate after New Zealand crash
South Africa were in a dominant position after New Zealand crashed to 45 all out on the first day of the first Test at Newlands here today.
Vernon Philander took the first five wickets as New Zealand were bowled out before lunch after winning the toss and batting on a well-grassed pitch.
That the pitch contained no real demons was shown as South Africa reached 252 for three, a lead of 207, by the close, with Alviro Petersen making 103 not out. Hashim Amla made 66 and Jacques Kallis became the fourth man to make 13 000 Test runs on his way to scoring 60.
South Africa needed only 12 overs to take a first innings lead after a sensational performance by their bowlers, led by Vernon Philander, who took the first five wickets in the space of 20 balls.
Philander had figures of five for seven from six overs. Morne Morkel took three for 14 and Dale Steyn two for 18.
New Zealand's total was the third lowest in their history and the joint 12th lowest in Test cricket.
Steyn captured his 300th Test wicket when he bowled Bracewell but his achievement was overshadowed by Philander, who claimed his eighth five-wicket haul in his 13th Test match.
Although the pitch gave some help to the fast bowlers, South Africa's free-scoring reply showed there was nothing untowards in the surface. Captain Graeme Smith was leg before wicket to Doug Bracewell for one to become the eleventh man dismissed before lunch, but Hashim Amla and Alviro Petersen
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