Port Elizabeth: Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 106 guided South Africa to 325-4 at stumps on day one of the second Test here on Friday after New Zealand made some early inroads only to wilt badly in the afternoon.
Amla moved South Africa back into a position of complete strength after Graeme Smith (54) and Jacques Kallis were dismissed in quick succession just after lunch and AB de Villiers failed to cash in on his half-century.
Amla had partnerships of 92 with Smith, 86 with de Villiers and 102 unbroken with Faf du Plessis (69 not out) to anchor South Africa, which won the first Test by an innings.
Doug Bracewell led the bowlers with 2-70 but New Zealand has to win in Port Elizabeth to avoid a fourth series loss in five.
Amla was called into action after just 10 overs when Alviro Petersen fell to a top edge to fine leg off Bracewell after a tricky opening spell from the New Zealand quicks. They made use of some early pace and bounce on the pitch in the first Test here in six years.
But Amla wore them down in his 19th Test century and fifth in his last eight matches. That included his triple century in England and 196 in Australia in South Africa’s back-to-back series wins on the road last year. (AP)
Brief scores:
SA 1st inn: 325-4 (H Amla 106 batting, F du Plessis 69 batting; D Bracewell 2-70, J Patel 1-60)
