DURBAN, South Africa — A fired-up Dale Steyn removed both New Zealand openers to leave the tourists on 15 for two before rain ended day two of the first Test against South Africa Saturday.
Steyn, playing his first Test of 2016 after injury, had Tom Latham (four) caught by Hashim Amla at first slip before trapping Martin Guptill (seven) lbw.
"Dale likes to bowl within himself with the new ball," said bowling coach Charl Langeveldt. "He prefers to have control up front. You will see that he bowls faster in his second and third spells."
New Zealand is replying to the home side's 263 all out and will hope for better batting conditions Sunday after the South Africans were able to find prodigious swing and movement off the wicket in what is a first ever winter Test in Durban.
Captain Kane Williamson and the experienced Ross Taylor, both on two not out, will resume on the third day, when early morning rain is expected to give way to sunshine for the remainder of the Test.
They had some good fortune in battling their way to lunch, which arrived six minutes early when rain forced the players from the field. No further play was possible.
Steyn was not only threatening but miserly too, conceding just three runs from his six overs.
Seamer Vernon Philander also made an impressive return to Test cricket after 10 months on the sidelines through injury and was unlucky not to get the wicket of Latham when Dean Elgar dropped a simple chance in the slips.
Earlier, New Zealand needed 10 overs to take the final two South African wickets after the host resumed on 236 for eight following a 50-minute rain delay.
It was held up by a career-best unbeaten 32 from young fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who looked composed before running out of partners.
Seamers Trent Boult (3-52) and South African-born Neil Wagner (3-47) were the pick of the New Zealand bowlers.
Third day washed out in Trinidad
In Port of Spain, inadequate ground drainage and maintenance systems resulted in the abandonment of the third day without a ball being bowled in the fourth and final Test between the West Indies and India at the Queen's Park Oval Saturday.
No play has been possible since the first day Thursday in Trinidad when the West Indies reached 62 for two before lunch after choosing to bat first.
Since then, heavy showers Thursday afternoon have left the ground completely saturated.
Despite the best efforts of the ground staff, conditions did not improve satisfactorily on the third day for play to be possible in the morning session.
Notwithstanding bright sunshine, the outfield remained sodden in many areas around the square.
Showers returned at midday to eliminate any prospect of play later in the day.
With this match seemingly destined for a draw, India, despite a 2-0 lead in the series, will lose its No. 1 ranking in Test cricket to Pakistan.
India needs to win the series 3-0 to retain the top position in the rankings following Pakistan's 2-2 series draw in England.
