Cricket-Morkel takes two wickets after extending S.Africa lead

WELLINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel grabbed two early wickets to send New Zealand limping to lunch on 55 for two in their second innings on the third day of the second test on Saturday. Jeet Raval was on 21 while Neil Broom had avoided a pair on debut to reach 20 at the break but the hosts were still 36 runs in deficit to the Proteas, who were bowled out for 359 earlier in the session. Morkel, who contributed a tail-wagging 40 to South Africa's 91-run first innings lead, put his side firmly in charge when he had Tom Latham and Kane Williamson caught behind to reduce New Zealand to 26 for two. Latham, who has been woefully out of form with the bat since he was asked to keep wickets in limited overs matches, pushed hard at a wide ball angling across him and was well caught by JP Duminy at fourth slip for six. The 32-year-old Morkel followed up in his next over when Williamson feathered a catch through to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. The New Zealand captain, who had scored one run, stood his ground and was given not out by umpire Kumar Dharmaseena but South Africa captain Faf du Plessis immediately reviewed the decision, which was overturned. Morkel, who also scored 40 against Australia in 2009, had earlier helped his side extend their overnight lead by 10 runs after resuming on 349 for nine. Morkel hit two boundaries before he was bowled by offspinner Jeetan Patel. Vernon Philander was left 37 not out. De Kock and Temba Bavuma had rescued South Africa with a 160-run partnership on Friday after the hosts had taken four wickets in the first session to reduce the visitors to 94 for six just before lunch. (Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)