BLOEMFONTEIN (South Africa), Oct 26: New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori led by example when he scored 99 for the touring team on the first day of a four-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Goodyear Park here on Thursday.

The left-handed Vettori, batting at number eight, was the only New Zealander to top 50 in good batting conditions after the Black Caps were sent in to bat.

The New Zealanders were struggling at 126 for six when Vettori joined wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum.

The pair put on 110 for the seventh wicket before McCullum was caught and bowled by left-arm swing bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe for 46.

Vettori made his runs off 118 balls with 11 fours before he was ninth out, one short of his century, caught by Invitation XI captain Morne van Wyk off left-arm medium-pace bowler Yusuf Abdullah.

Abdullah finished off the innings two balls later when he trapped Chris Martin leg before. He finished with four for 81. There was not enough time for the Invitation XI to start batting before the close of play.

The match is the first of two warm-up games for the New Zealanders before they take on South Africa in two Tests, a Twenty20 International and three One-day Internationals.—AFP