NZ’s Ravindra picks three to restrict SA to 220 for 6

Rachin Ravindra. Pic/AFP

Rachin Ravindra took three wickets and slammed the brakes on South Africa's scoring to give New Zealand a slight edge Tuesday on the first day of the second Test.

Ravindra claimed the key middle-order wickets of Zubayr Hamza, Keegan Petersen and David Bedingham and bowled 21 overs at a cost of only 33 runs to swing the day just in New Zealand's favor.

New Zealand faced an unexpected obstacle late in the day when Ruan de Swardt posted his maiden half century and the burly all-rounder Shaun von Berg, making his Test debut at 37, shared an unbroken partnership of 70 for the seventh wicket.

De Swardt was 55 not out and von Berg was unbeaten on 34 as South Africa reached 220-6 at stumps.

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On a day of unusual decisions, New Zealand left out regular spinner Mitchell Santner, who took six wickets in the first Test, included four seamers and ended up leaning heavily on Ravindra's left-arm spin.

South Africa captain Neil Brand also made the unexpected decision to bat on winning the toss, becoming only the second captain in the last 11 Tests at Seddon Park to do so.

The pitch appeared green at first and there was some help early for the seamers as Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke and Neil Wagner shared wickets in the first session. South Africa were 64-3 at lunch.

Ravindra bowled his first 13 overs, including six maidens, at a cost of only 15 runs.

Brief scores
South Africa 220-6 (D Swardt 55', S Berg 34'; R Ravindra 3-33) v New Zealand

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