Vernon Philander produced the best figures of his remarkable early career for South Africa to wrap up the second Test against New Zealand by nine wickets inside three days on Saturday. The tourists needed just 20 overs to reach the 101-run target in Hamilton, after New Zealand's second innings crumbled under Philander's brilliant swing bowling to be all out for 168.
Skipper Graeme Smith was not out 55 with Hashim Amla on 46 as South Africa made 103-1. Smith ended the one-sided match at Seddon Park with a boundary off Rob Nicol. But the big win was set up by the 26-year-old Philander. Playing in only his sixth Test, he produced the best bowling of his brief career of 6-44 to give him match figures of 10-114 and the man-of-the-match award.
He now boasts Test career statistics of five five-wicket hauls and a total of 45 wickets at an average 13.6 runs apiece, closing the gap with teammate Dale Steyn who is the world's top ranked bowler. "If he keeps going the way he is then he'll get there pretty soon," Smith said.
New Zealand captain Ross Taylor admitted his side folded under the pressure imposed by Philander and Steyn, who finished with match figures of 5-80. New Zealand resumed the day at 65-4, three runs in arrears, with Kane Williamson and Daniel Vettori (21) forging a dogged stand at the crease.
Williamson took 41 balls to advance from his overnight score of 41 to make a half century and Vettori was just as watchful as Philander and Dale Steyn swung the ball. The hosts nudged the score to 99 before captain Smith brought in Jacques Kallis, who broke the partnership with a short ball which reared up, flicking Vettori on the gloves for Mark Boucher to take the simplest of catches.
Philander then returned to wrap up the innings with an outstanding spell of bowling in which he took 4-14 in 18 balls. He took Kruger van Wyk (20) before lunch and then New Zealand's anchor Williamson for 77 immediately after the break. Smith faced 60 balls for his 55, which included eight fours and a six, while Amla's 46 came from 56 balls. South Africa lead the three-Test series 1-0, after rain spoiled any chance of a result in the first Test. The third and final match starts in Wellington next Friday.
Scoreboard New Zealand 1st innings 185 (B. McCullum 61, R. Taylor 44; Philander 4-70, Steyn 3-49) South Africa 1st innings 253 (AB de Villiers 83m M. Morkel 35 n.o.; Gillespie 5-59, Martin 2-38)
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New Zealand 2nd innings
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R. Nicol b Philander 1
M. Guptill c Amla b Steyn 1
B. McCullum lbw b Philander 5
R. Taylor lbw b Steyn 17
K. Williamson c Boucher b Philander 77
D. Vettori c Boucher b Kallis 21
K. van Wyk b Philander 20
D. Bracewell b Morkel 0
M. Gillespie c Boucher b Philander 14
B. Arnel not out 8
C. Martin b Philander 0
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Extras: (lb 4) 4
Total: (all out; 67.5 overs) 168
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Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-7, 3-7, 4-64, 5-99, 6-141, 7-142, 8-142, 9-160, 10-168
Bowling: Steyn 16-5-31-2, Philander 15.5-3-44-6, Morkel 13-5-26-1, Tahir 17-2-52-0, Kallis 6-3-11-1.
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South Africa 2nd innings
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A. Petersen c van Wyk b Bracewell 1
G. Smith not out 55
H. Amla not out 46
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Extras: (nb 1) 1
Total: (1 wicket; 19.5 overs) 103
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