South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 3rd Test Day 1, 5 Talking Points

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 29:  Matt Henry of New Zealand dives for the ball during day five of the Second Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park on November 29, 2016 in Hamilton, New Zealand.  (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)
Matt Henry's outstanding bowling helped New Zealand to a good position on day 1

#4 Matt Henry and de Grandhomme shoulder responsibility

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 17:  Colin de Grandhomme of New Zealand bowls while Temba Bavuma of South Africa looks on during day two of the test match between New Zealand and South Africa at Basin Reserve on March 17, 2017 in Wellington, New Zealand.  (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Amidst all the criticism, de Grandhomme has been bowling well for the Kiwis

With strike bowlers, Trent Boult and Tim Southee out of action, New Zealand needed their back-up seamers to fire. They had Scott Kuggeleijn called up but opted to go with de Grandhomme and Henry on the day.

Both the seamers justified the call by bowling the right channels and making the batsmen play. de Grandhomme found prodigious swing and had Elgar bowled while leaving the ball. Henry, meanwhile, had already gotten rid of Theunis de Bruyn.

Duminy soon fell hooking a well directed short ball by Henry and de Grandhomme had the settled Amla bowled between his pads with another ripper. Boult and Southee were hardly missed as the new ball pair delivered the goods for the Kiwis.

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Edited by Staff Editor