NZ bowlers take control

New Zealand's bowlers held the advantage on the first day of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead on Friday.

South Africa struggled to 236 for eight at the close of play after deciding to bat in overcast conditions, with the floodlights on for most of the day.

Left-arm opening bowler Trent Boult struck two telling blows, making the first breakthrough when he had Stephen Cook caught behind for 20, then dismissing top-scorer Hashim Amla for 53.

Fellow left-arm seamer Neil Wagner finished the day with the best figures of three for 47, while left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner halted a promising fightback by South Africa when he dismissed Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma in the space of three balls.

Cook got a faint edge to a ball which straightened off the surface after several other deliveries had swung in to the right-hander.

Amla, by contrast, was caught behind off an inside edge when a ball swung in to him.

South African-educated Wagner used the short ball effectively, having JP Duminy caught at fine leg off an ill-judged pull shot.

Wagner then dismissed former schoolmate Faf du Plessis with the help of a spectacular diving catch at gully by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.

SCORES IN BRIEF

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 236 for 8 (Cook 20, Amla 53, Du Plessis 23, Bavuma 46, De Kock 33; Boult 2-42, Wagner 3-47, Santner 2-22)