New Zealand And South Africa Draw Opening Test

New Zealand And South Africa Draw Opening Test

©REUTERS / Action Images

South Africa 238 & 435-5 dec. (Smith 115, Kallis 113no) drew with
New Zealand 273 (McCullum 48) & 137-2
First Test, Dunedin
Scorecard

Rain washed out the final day's play of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin with the result that the match was drawn.

New Zealand closed day four on 137 for two having been set 401 to win but were unable to continue their run chase due to the bad weather.

The game produced the first Test match draw of 2012 and the first Test draw in 15 matches.

The rain also put paid to South Africa's ambitions of toppling England at the top of the Test rankings as they required a 3-0 series win to do so.

On day four, Jacques Rudolph (105 not out) became the third centurion of South Africa's second innings before they declared on 435 for five.

New Zealand then lost two early wickets before Brendon McCullum's unbeaten 58 and Ross Taylor's 48 not out helped them fight back and set up an intriguing final day.

Centuries from Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis had put South Africa into a commanding position on day three.

Replying to South Africa's first innings of 238, New Zealand reached 273 all out before they were blunted by Smith and Kallis.

Smith, Amla and Rudolph all scored first-innings half-centuries before Martin took four wickets which set New Zealand up to grab the lead on the second day.

© Cricket World 2012