Penn makes an argument for a second Test place

Adam Parore warmed up for the second Test match with a century in less than three hours against Border on Sunday, but the most thought-provoking effort of the day came from Andrew Penn who made a strong argument for inclusion in the side for Port Elizabeth.

Penn, playing in his first first-class match in South Africa after being flown out as a replacement for one of New Zealand's multitude of injuries, took five for 38 as New Zealand ripped Border apart on the second day of the three-day game at Buffalo Park in East London.

He looked sharper and more aggressive than Daryl Tuffey, who played in the first Test in Bloemfontein, and although Penn has not clearly played himself into the Test side, the final decision might depend on who comes through Monday's final day more impressively as Border try to defend their last eight wickets.

When bad light stopped play early on Sunday Border were 36 for two in their second innings. They had been bowled out for just 73 in the morning as New Zealand took 15.1 overs to take the last seven wickets.

Penn carried on from Saturday evening, taking three for 14 in a six-over spell and with Brooke Walker chipping in with three for 13, the home side were reduced to tatters. As well as both Penn and Walker bowled, Border batted feebly. The home side are fielding a second-string attack in this match, but their batting order includes many of the players who have taken Border to two SuperSport Series finals in as many years.

They were, to put it bluntly, woeful and their ineptitude was shown up as Parore dashed out an unbeaten 101 to enable New Zealand to declare their second innings at 185 for no wicket.

The tourists used three batsmen in their second innings - Craig Spearman went off with a hamstring twinge after making 57 - but Parore took the starring role after not batting in the New Zealand first innings.

Stephen Fleming delayed his declaration until two overs after tea to allow Parore to reach three figures and in 13 overs before the light failed Border hobbled to 36 for two in their second innings.

So far Penn has not taken a second innings wicket while Tuffey picked up one when he bowled Craig Sugden off an inside edge for 15. Kerry Walmsley accounted for Ian Mitchell but if Penn can reproduce anything like his first innings form and Chris Martin, as is expected, is fit for Port Elizabeth, then Tuffey could lose his Test place.

Unless, of course, he does something remarkable on Monday.