Cumming and Vincent stand firm for New Zealand

CENTURION, Nov 16 (Reuters) Craig Cumming and Lou Vincent gave New Zealand a solid start in the second test against South Africa here today.

New Zealand, who won the toss and chose to bat, were 84-1 at lunch on the first day.

Opener Cumming was 38 not out with Vincent on 33 in an unbroken stand of 58 for the second wicket.

Paceman Makhaya Ntini struck in the eighth over when Michael Papps, who scored nine, played away from his body to a wide delivery and edged a catch to Herschelle Gibbs in the gully.

Most of South Africa's bowlers found movement off the seam, but Cumming and Vincent coped and runs trickled steadily.

However, the home side wasted an opportunity to dismiss Cumming for 37 in the fourth over before lunch when Jacques Kallis at second slip dropped a head-high chance that was earned by fast bowler Andre Nel.

New Zealand quick bowler Mark Gillespie made his debut in the place of Shane Bond, who was ruled out of the rest of the tour when he tore a stomach muscle during the first test in Johannesburg.

South Africa won the first test by 358 runs.

Reuters HSB RS1824