Proteas end day one of third Test against New Zealand on 136 for 2

Wellington (New Zealand), Mar.23 (ANI): South Africa ended day one of the third Test against New Zealand on 136 for the loss of two wickets. A fluent 63 from opener Hashim Amla contributed to the Proteas total.

A wt outfield and poor light prevented a full day's play. Only 42 overs could be bowled after New Zealand captain Ross Taylor chose to field on a green surface that was expected to seam.

Although Graeme Smith was removed by one that jagged off the pitch, New Zealand struggled to achieve pronounced movement for extended periods, with spinner Daniel Vettori called on to contribute more than a quarter of the hosts' overs.

Alviro Petersen played a restrained knock to end the day in sight of his first half-century of the series, while JP Duminy, who replaced an injured Jacques Kallis, was unbeaten on 23.

New Zealand started well through Chris Martin and Doug Bracewell, but waned in threat as the movement steadily gave out despite their discipline. Mark Gillespie could find neither the direction nor the pace that decimated South Africa's middle order in the first innings in Hamilton, and was lucky to claim Amla with a short, wide ball. That wicket breathed some edge into the New Zealand attack in the nine overs after tea, but Duminy only helped himself to some quick runs into the vacant outfield with the bowlers attacking. (ANI)