South Africa inches ahead on day of drama

South Africa didn't let a ground evacuation due to a fire alarm distract it from the task at hand as it reached 38 for 1 on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand on Friday (March 10), a lead of five runs.

New Zealand, riding on Kane Williamson's brilliant 130 and the efforts of an injury-hit Ross Taylor, made 341 all out to secure a 33-run first innings lead in Dunedin, and then removed Stephen Cook, the opener, for a duck when South Africa came out to bat again.

Trent Boult had Cook caught behind off the fourth ball of the innings and walked, though replays were unable to detect whether the ball had hit the bat.

What followed was a 20-minute delay, when a fire alarm in the University Oval's main grandstand forced the ground's evacuation, but South Africa saw out the rest of the session without a hiccup until bad light stopped play.

It was concluded that steam had set off the alarm. When play resumed, New Zealand's spinners found little success against Hashim Amla (23 not out) and Dean Elgar (12 not out).

Earlier, Williamson's ton, allied with contributions from Jeet Raval (52) and BJ Watling (50) -- along with Taylor's late return despite a calf injury -- steered New Zealand to 341.

Williamson's 16th Test century brought him level with Taylor and one behind the New Zealand record of 17 held by the late Martin Crowe. It was a patient knock that lasted 380 minutes and 241 deliveries, before the New Zealand captain was felled by Kagiso Rabada, who drew an edge with the extra bounce and movement of the new ball.

It started a run of three wickets for 27 runs before Neil Wagner (32) levelled the scores.

Boult put New Zealand in front with a single off Keshav Maharaj before he was bowled by the spinner to bring the injured Taylor back to the middle for a last stand with Wagner.

Wagner played some delightful shots, including a six and two fours off consecutive balls from Philander and another six and four off Maharaj.

Meanwhile, Taylor, crippled by a calf tear that forced him from the field when on 8 early in the innings, found it difficult to run but still managed to loft Morne Morkel over the ropes for six.

Maharaj mopped up the innings with the wicket of Wagner, caught by JP Duminy for 32, to end with 5 for 94.

With rain forecast over the next two days, particularly Sunday, the chances of a result in the Test could be slim.