New Zealand resist tight South African attack in Dunedin

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Jeet Raval and Kane Williamson were engaged in a war of attrition against a high-pressure South African bowling attack as New Zealand advanced to 59 for one at tea on the second day of the first test at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

Raval was on 26 from 70 balls, while Williamson was 21 not out as the hosts chipped away at South Africa's first innings total of 308.

New Zealand had dismissed the Proteas about 15 minutes after lunch when Trent Boult bowled Vernon Philander for 21 to pick up his fourth wicket of the innings.

The hosts were immediately placed under pressure in their reply by Kagiso Rabada and Philander, who bowled a nagging line and length which was continued by the towering Morne Morkel.

Philander's accuracy and ability to generate seam movement off the pitch accounted for Tom Latham for 10 when the left-hander nicked a catch to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

The 31-year-old Philander then engaged in a fascinating battle with New Zealand captain Williamson, with the bowler hammering away on a good length at off stump hoping to expose a weakness in the right-hander's defence.

Williamson, however, managed to see off Philander's initial spell and when left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was introduced, the New Zealand pair began to free up, despite having to deal with the extra bounce from Morkel.

The Proteas had resumed after lunch on 301 for eight but the hosts struck quickly with Rabada bowled by Jeetan Patel for four before Boult removed Philander to end the innings.

The hosts had taken four wickets in the first session with Dean Elgar falling for 140, while Temba Bavuma was dismissed for 64 after the pair had combined for a 104-run partnership.

Boult had taken two wickets in the morning session, while Neil Wagner dismissed Elgar and Patel continued his success from the one-day series against de Kock.

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury,; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)