Steyn takes early wickets before rain halts Test

DURBAN, South Africa (AP):

South Africa paceman Dale Steyn announced his return to the international game with two early wickets before rain wiped out the remainder of day two of the first Test against New Zealand yesterday.

Playing his first international match since being sidelined by a shoulder injury in December, Steyn claimed the wickets of both New Zealand openers to leave the tourists at 15-2 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 263 all out at Kingsmead.

South Africa's attack was then halted for lunch by rain, with bad weather continuing through the afternoon until play was called off for the day.

Although Steyn's pace was down as he had predicted, the 33-year-old bowler offered a superb swing presentation to take two for three in a six-over spell.

He was well supported by Vernon Philander, who beat the bat on numerous occasions as he played his first Test in almost a year.

left unbeaten

It was just the start that South Africa needed with the ball after being bowled out for an underwhelming total.

The hosts resumed on 236-8 after light rain delayed the start of play by 50 minutes, and lasted just 10 overs before Tim Southee and Trent Boult wrapped up the tail for New Zealand.

Boult finished with figures of 3-52, while Kagiso Rabada was left unbeaten on a career-best 32.

South Africa's disappointment at their total was lifted slightly by the seam-friendly conditions, which Steyn and Philander used to put the pressure back on to New Zealand.

Although Tom Latham was dropped by Dean Elgar at second slip off the bowling of Philander early on, Steyn induced another edge from the left-hander soon after and this time it was held by Hashim Amla.