Oram century puts Kiwis ahead

All-rounder Jacob Oram, playing in his first Test match in more than a year, took New Zealand into a first innings lead with a century on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion Park Sunday.
Oram hit a career-best 133 as New Zealand recovered from a disastrous start to make 327, a lead of 51. South Africa were four for no wicket in their second innings at the close.
New Zealand lost their first five wickets for 45 runs before Oram led a recovery. The fightback started when the tall left-hander put on 44 for the sixth wicket with Brendon McCullum, who batted aggressively for 31.
Then Oram and Daniel Vettori (81) combined in a superb 183-run stand for the seventh wicket.
It was the second-highest stand for New Zealand against South Africa, exceeded only by the 225 that Oram put on with Chris Cairns in Auckland two seasons ago, also for the seventh wicket.
It was Oram's third Test century and his second against South Africa. He continued to show a likeness for South African bowling as he came into the match with an average of 94.33 from three previous matches against them.
It also marked a successful comeback to Test cricket for Oram, who had not played in a Test match since November 2004 because of heel and groin injuries.
Makhaya Ntini took five for 94, the 12th five-wicket haul for the South African fast bowler, after plunging the New Zealand innings into disarray when he took the first three wickets.
Ntini bowled Hamish Marshall in his second over to notch his 250th Test wicket. Then he claimed the key wicket of New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, playing in his 100th Test, for nought.
Fleming pushed forward and the ball looped back to Ntini who flung the ball in the air.
Fleming was given out caught and bowled by umpire Daryl Harper although replays showed the ball had come off his pad without contact with the bat.
Scott Styris was caught at gully for 17 before Shaun Pollock had opening batsman Peter Fulton caught behind for 14.
Nathan Astle edged a fast outswinger from Dale Steyn to Boucher, who took the catch to complete his 350th dismissal in Tests - the fourth man in the world to reach the mark.
McCullum took the fight to the bowlers, hitting 31 off 30 balls before top-edging Jacques Kallis to backward point trying to play another aggressive shot.
Oram remained unflustered, starting cautiously but putting away the loose deliveries to reach his fifty off 85 balls. He needed only 61 more deliveries to bring up his century and when he was last man out he had faced 169 balls and hit 18 fours and two sixes.
Fellow left-hander Vettori also batted positively as the South African bowlers were made to look ordinary. The partnership of 183 took only 167 minutes and 234 balls. Vettori made his 81 off 117 deliveries with 11 fours.
Earlier James Franklin and Chris Martin took the last two South African first innings wickets.
Franklin finished with four for 75 and was unlucky not to get a fifth wicket. Last man Ntini played and missed and the ball clipped the outside of his off-stump without dislodging the bail.
Two balls later Steyn was dropped at point by Marshall off Franklin.
SCOREBOARD
SOUTH AFRICA (1ST INNINGS): 276 (G. Smith 45, H. Dippenaar 52):
NEW ZEALAND (1ST INNINGS):

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H Marshall b Ntini                 6

P Fulton c Boucher b Pollock      14

S Fleming c and b Ntini            0

S Styris c Gibbs b Ntini          17

N Astle c Boucher b Steyn          4

J Oram c Pollock b Steyn         133

B McCullum c Boje b Kallis        31

D Vettori c Prince b Ntini        81

J Franklin c Boucher b Ntini       8

K Mills c Boje b Pollock          12

C Martin not out                   1

Extras: (lb12, nb8)               20

Total: (71.4 overs)              327

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Falls: 1-8, 2-12, 3-32, 4-38, 5-45, 6-89, 7-272, 8-280, 9-322.
Bowling: Ntini 19-2-94-5, Steyn18.4-1-95-2, Pollock 15-4-45-2 (8nb), Kallis 9-1-41-1, Boje 7-0-29-0, Smith 3-1-11-0.
SOUTH AFRICA (2ND INNINGS):

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G Smith not out                    3

H Gibbs not out                    0

Extras: (nb1)                      1

Total: (0 wkts, 1 over)            4

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