Guptill Finds Form Before Tour Game Is Drawn

Guptill Finds Form Before Tour Game Is Drawn

Martin Guptill hit 68 not out on the final day in Paarl

©REUTERS / Action Images

New Zealanders 311-6 dec. & 117-2 dec. drew with
SA XI 359-7 dec. (Kleinveldt 78)
Tour game, Paarl
Day One Report | Day Two

Martin Guptill struck an unbeaten half-century before New Zealand's tour game against the South African Invitational XI ended in a draw in Paarl.

South Africa had moved into a first innings lead, declaring on 359 for seven before the New Zealanders closed their second innings on 117 for two with Guptill on 68.

Resuming the final day on 274 for six, Keegan Pietersen made an unbeaten 76 and Petrus Jeftha 54 not out as New Zealand could take only the wicket of Shaun Liebisch, who was caught by Jeetan Patel off Chris Martin for four.

Pietersen and Jeftha added 72 for the eighth wicket and Trent Boult, Martin and Patel all finished with two wickets apiece.

With Peter Fulton absent with the knee injury that has ruled him out of the Test series, Brendon McCullum opened with Guptill and made a swift 28 before falling to Siya Semetu.

Jeftha's fine day continued when he had Dean Brownlie trapped in front for six but Guptill stood firm to make 68 in 79 balls with 10 fours and a six.

Daniel Flynn was unbeaten on 14 at the close of play.

The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa gets underway in Cape Town on Wednesday 2nd January.

© Cricket World 2012