The Black Caps batsman Henry Nicholls scored his maiden test century and the hosts' bowlers took two late wickets to fight back on the opening day of the second cricket test against South Africa in Wellington.
Henry Nicholls salutes the Basin Reserve crowd after scoring his maiden test hundred. Photo: Photosport
Nicholls brought up his ton after tea before being dismissed for 118.
His removal triggered a mini-collapse with New Zealand losing their next two wickets for just five runs.
However the Black Caps' tail wagged with tail-enders Tim Southee and Jeetan Patel hitting several sixes between them to produce a quickfire 44-run partnership.
Off-spinner JP Duminy then captured the final wicket of Neil Wagner for two to bowl New Zealand out for 268 in their first innings and finish with figures of 4-47.
Number five Nicholls top scored for the hosts, with opener Jeet Raval the next best with 36, while wicket-keeper BJ Watling scored 34 in a measured knock as he combined with Nicholls to produce a 116 run sixth wicket stand that brought the Black Caps back into the match.
Nicholls was the New Zealanders real saviour though.
Coming to the crease with the hosts struggling on 21 for 3, his 118 off 161 balls turned the momentum of the match and stemmed the flow of wickets as the Black Caps went on to reach a total that at one stage had looked likely to fall short of 200 runs.
In reply South Africa were 24 for 2 at stumps trailing by 244 runs, after losing two wickets in the final half hour of play.
Opener Stephen Cook was the first to fall, caught out off the bowling of Tim Southee for three.
New Zealand medium pacer Colin de Grandhomme then removed the Proteas second opener Dean Algar in the very next over for nine, also caught in the slips by Jimmy Neesham.
First drop Hashim Amla and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada will resume for South Africa on day two tomorrow.
The Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl first at the Basin Reserve.
-RNZ
