3rd Test: SA off to solid start on Day 1 vs NZealand

South Africa's batsmen made a mockery of supposedly helpful bowling conditions to finish the weather-affected first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on 136 for two.

Alviro Petersen was on 44 and JP Duminy on a quickly compiled 23 when umpires offered them the option of leaving the field at 1725 (0425GMT) in the murky gloom, with 21 overs remaining in the day's play at the Basin Reserve.

Play was officially stopped at 1800.

Hashim Amla was the only wicket to fall after tea when his mistimed pull shot from a Mark Gillespie bouncer fell for wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk.

Amla, who did not add to his tea score of 63, was forced to wait for several minutes as umpires reviewed Gillespie's foot placement, with television replays suggesting his back foot was touching the line on the return crease, which would have meant a no-ball and Amla being recalled.

Third umpire Billy Doctrove upheld the decision, however, the second time he was forced to make a controversial ruling in South Africa's innings.

Prior to tea, he affirmed a decision to give South Africa captain Graeme Smith out for five when he was adjudged to have got an inside edge to a Doug Bracewell delivery and was caught by van Wyk.

Smith initially stood his ground, walked down the pitch to talk with Petersen then asked for the decision to be reviewed.

Television replays showed clear daylight between his bat and the ball as it passed by, though microphones indicated some sort of sound and Doctrove upheld the decision.

Smith was shaking his head as he walked off the field.

New Zealand failed to capitalise on the help that conditions offered after the pitch was covered for almost a week due to wet weather in Wellington.

They did not put any pressure on the South African batsmen, bowling wide of off-stump or too short allowing them to leave too many deliveries.

Such was captain Ross Taylor's desperation to upset South Africa's rhythm before the tea break he introduced part-time medium pacer Dean Brownlie, who was belted for 20 runs from two overs.

Overnight rain had delayed the start of the game, with umpires deeming the ground unsuitable for play until 1400. The match had been scheduled to start at 1030.

South Africa only need to draw the game to seal the three-match series after they won the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton by nine wickets.

Scorecard:

South Africa first innings        

G Smith c van Wyk b Bracewell 5

A Petersen not out 44

H Amla c van Wyk b Gillespie 63

JP Duminy not out 23

Extras: (w-1) 1

Total (in 42 overs) 136 for 2

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-106

Bowling: Martin 9-3-21-0; Bracewell 11-1-30-1 (w-1); Gillespie 9-1-37-1; Vettori 11-3-28-0; Brownlie 2-0-20-0.

Photograph: REUTERS / Anthony Phelps