South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 2nd Test day 3, 5 Talking Points

#1 Keshav Maharaj takes back to back fifers

Maharaj bowled with impeccable control to take six wickets

A spinner taking a five-wicket haul in New Zealand usually meant Daniel Vettori just running through the opposition on a fifth-day pitch. But a few years after his retirement another spinner, unfortunately for his team, from another country, has grabbed two five-wicket hauls in consecutive Tests in New Zealand.

That it is a South African is perhaps the biggest surprise of it all. Keshav Maharaj has been just the right foil for the pack of wolves that the South African pacers are. He has shown patience and been rewarded for his persistence.

On a crucial day three at Wellington, he prised out six Kiwi wickets including Nicholls, Neesham, de Grandhomme and Watling aside from that of the top scorer, Raval. The exceptional performance meant that New Zealand were bowled out for 171 with a lead of just 80.