Cronje takes command

CRICKET

New Zealand 288

South Africa 381-7

Hansie Cronje, the South African captain, scored his fourth Test century while the wicketkeeper, Dave Richardson, struck an unbeaten 70 to give South Africa the upper hand over New Zealand in the third and final Test in Cape Town yesterday.

With a lead of 93, three wickets left, and two days to go, the South Africans are well placed to press for victory in the deciding game of the series which is level 1-1.

Cronje, resuming in the morning on 11 not out, reached his hundred with a single to third man off the left-arm spinner, Matthew Hart, and immediately acknowledged a standing ovation from an adoring crowd of 15,230 at Newlands before kissing the Protea badge on his helmet.

(Third day: New Zealand won toss)

NEW ZEALAND - First Innings 288 (S P Fleming 79, K R Rutherford 56; B M McMillan 4-65, S D Jack 4-69).

SOUTH AFRICA - First Innings (Overnight: 152 for 3)

G Kirsten b Thomson 64

P J R Steyn lbw Thomson 38

J B Commins c Rutherford b Hart 27

D J Cullinan c Young b Thomson 5

*W J Cronje c Pringle b Hart 112

J N Rhodes b Doull 18

B M McMillan lbw b Pringle 18

D J Richardson not out 70

C E Eksteen not out 10

Extras (nb-8 w-1 lb-3 b-7) 19

Total (for 7) 381

Fall: 1-106 2-119 3-125 4-161 5-225 6-271

7-325.

To bat: S D Jack, P S de Villiers.

Bowling: Morrison 31-6-92-0 (nb-4), Doull 28-10-41-1 (nb-1), Hart 43-7-115-2 (nb-3), Pringle 22-4-58-1 (w-1), Thomson 31-7-65-3.