Philander stars in resounding South Africa win
South Africa rode another irresistible performance from Vernon Philander to take a 1-0 lead in Hamilton, vanquishing the hosts by nine wickets inside three days
14/03Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of New Zealand at Hamilton, Mar 15-17 2012
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
185 & 168 -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
253 & 103/1 (19.5 ov)
Player of the Match
14/03Result
2nd Test, South Africa tour of New Zealand at Hamilton, Mar 15-17 2012
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
185 & 168 -
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
253 & 103/1 (19.5 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 3
Unstable batting hurting New Zealand
Bringing in an extra batsman would mean dropping one of the bowlers which could disturb a settled bowling attack. The problems stem from the top
Philander's routine, and South Africa's desperation
Plays of the Day from the third day of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Hamilton
Philander reaps rewards by keeping it simple
Vernon Philander's extraordinary success is due to three key things: consistency, movement and strategic use of his own limitations
Day 2
de Villiers, seamers set up South Africa
New Zealand closed out day two in a state similar to their position the previous evening, struggling to compete with an opponent they had dominated in passages of play, but allowed to charge back emphatically in others
New Zealand attack allows South Africa off the mat
New Zealand had South Africa reeling at 88 for 6 but their bowlers were unable to deliver the fatal blow, allowing South Africa to steal a first-innings lead
To leave or not to leave, that is Philander's question
ESPNcricinfo presents Plays of the Day for the second day of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Hamilton
'Five doctors told me I shouldn't be playing' - Gillespie
Both on the field and off, Mark Gillespie is one hard man: he keeps things brief when he talks, and just bowls and bowls and bowls, even through the all the pain
'Felt I could get out at any time' - de Villiers
De Villiers' started off at almost a run-a-ball, approached the New Zealand bowlers with the most positive of mindsets and kept attacking them, but later revealed that he actually felt tentative and anxious throughout his innings
Day 1
Steyn, Philander trigger dramatic slide
A catastrophic collapse - that surrendered five wickets with score stuck on 133 - swung the match emphatically in favour of South Africa, as they dismissed New Zealand for 185 on a rain-shortened day one in Hamilton
Steyn and Philander shatter New Zealand
New Zealand appeared to be well placed at 133 for 2 but Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander combined brilliantly to rip out the heart of the home side
McCullum rues 'dumb mistakes'
New Zealand succumbed for 185 as their batsmen continue to make the same mistakes and get out in the same fashion
Morkel's late reaction and a first for van Wyk
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day of the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Hamilton
Others
'A lot more comfortable in Hamilton' - Smith
There is a glaring relief in the South Africa camp that they have moved on to warmer, more welcoming conditions, and Graeme Smith is hoping that they can close out the Test
Which of Arnel, Gillespie and Ellis will it be?
Ross Taylor and New Zealand continue to mull over their best XI for the Hamilton Test