Hashim Amla, JP Duminy take South Africa to 94/2 against New Zealand

South Africa, reached 94/2 after the first session of play on Day One against New Zealand. Hashim Amla and JP Duminy were batting at 42* and 13* respectively at Lunch. Openers Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar were off to a good start. An almost empty stadium in Durban, saw a fine contest between bat an ball, as Tim Southee and Trent Boult bowled the first few spells for New Zealand. Boult was rewarded for bowling good lines on a pitch that also offered him some late movement. He picked up the first wicket of Stephen Cook, as he found a thin edge, that keeper’ BJ Watling took at a good height. Dean Elgar started off patiently, played a few boundaries through the covers, but then nicked one from Doug Bracewell, to Martin Guptill at second slip. South Africa were 41/2 then.  LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Durban

Amla, began his innings well. He played some fine shots through the offside. Amla punched plenty off his back foot to get four. He also hit three boundaries off Bracewell’s over. He along with Duminy put on a 50-run partnership before Lunch. LIVE CRICKET UPDATES: South Africa vs New Zealand, 1st Test at Durban

Earlier, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat on the first. The start was delayed by half an hour because of a wet outfield on an overcast day. South Africa were captained for the first time by Faf du Plessis in the absence of AB de Villiers, who has an elbow injury. The match marked the return to fitness of fast bowling kingpins Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. New Zealand showed one change from the team that recently defeated Zimbabwe in two Test matches in Bulawayo. Seamer Doug Bracewell replaced leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.

(With inputs from AFP)

Brief Scores:

South Africa 94 for 2 (Hashim Amla 42*, Stephen Cook 20; Trent Boult 1 for 8) vs New Zealand