Hamilton, Feb 16 (AP) New Zealand was 107-2 at lunch on day four Friday, needing 160 runs to win the second cricket Test and complete a series win over South Africa for the first time.

New Zealand resumed at 40-1, chasing 267 for victory after losing Devon Conway to the last ball of the third day. At the break Kane Williamson was 44 not out and Rachin Ravindra was 13.

Also Read | India vs England, 3rd Test 2024 Day 2 Free Live Streaming Online: How To Watch IND vs ENG Cricket Match Live Telecast on TV?.

Off-spinner Dane Piedt dismissed Tom Latham (30) in the sixth over of the day but Williamson and Ravindra held on until the break, bringing up a 50-run partnership from 114 balls.

The match still holds the potential of providing another of the grandstand finishes New Zealand has specialized in in recent years, notably its one-run win over England.

Also Read | India vs England Live Score Updates of 3rd Test 2024 Day 2: Catch Live Commentary Online and Full Scorecard of IND vs ENG Cricket Match.

The pitch at Seddon Park is causing batters more difficulty than it should by its appearance. There is turn and occasionally bounce to exacerbate that.

For the seamers, every now and then a ball spits from a length, keeping the batters on their guard, explaining why Ravindra has taken 44 balls to score his 13 runs and Williamson 89 balls for his 44.

At the same time, there is no pressure of time for New Zealand who had two full days at the start of play to score another 227.

Piedt remains the most dangerous of the South Africa bowlers after taking a career-best 5-89 in the first innings as South Africa bowled out New Zealand for 211 in reply to its 242, a lead of 31. South Africa made 235 in its second innings.

Piedt had a loud appeal for lbw against Ravindra in the 16th over of the morning which the umpire declined. South Africa reviewed the decision optimistically and replays showed the ball was missing leg stump by a wide margin.

Shortly afterwards, Ravindra got a slight touch on the ball heading down leg which just eluded wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin.

Piedt was bowling in tandem at times with the veteran leg spinner Shaun von Berg who is making his test debut at 37 and has yet to take a test wicket but has 477 first-class wickets.

New Zealand leads the two-Test series 1-0 after winning the first test by 281 runs. Williamson and Ravindra were central to that success, sharing a partnership of 232 in New Zealand's first innings of 511. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)