New Zealand-South Africa Test ends in frustrating draw
No play was possible on the final day of the match due to heavy rain in Dunedin
It was a bleak picture on the final morning in Dunedin, New Zealand v South Africa, 1st Test, Dunedin, 5th day, March 12, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa ended in a draw on Sunday after heavy rain washed out the fifth and final day's play in Dunedin, leaving both sides frustrated at losing the chance to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The match had been delicately poised entering the final day with South Africa 224 for six in the second innings, a lead of 191 runs, with captain Faf du Plessis on 56 and Vernon Philander on one at University Oval.
However, heavy rain which began early on Sunday, ensured a delayed start and after the scheduled lunch break was taken at 1 p.m. local time, umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford decided there was no chance of any further play.
"I think the game was shaping up quite nicely for all three results," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson after the match. "The game was certainly in the balance and it's just a shame not to get any play today. But it's nice going into the second match with both teams having played some good cricket."
The Black Caps will enter the second match at Wellington's Basin Reserve without batting stalwart Ross Taylor, who tore his calf muscle during the first innings, while left arm pace bowler Trent Boult is under an injury cloud.
"It's a real shame to lose Ross, our premier batter, but therein lies an opportunity for someone else," Williamson added. "[Trent Boult] does have a little niggle, but we don't know how serious it is yet. He will travel with us to Wellington and hopefully he will recover. He is a big player for us."
Proteas captain Du Plessis felt his side could also have won the game had they set New Zealand a target of about 250 runs in 60 overs.
"It was set up to be a great finish," said Du Plessis. "We were looking to get about another 50 or 60 runs and on this wicket the ball is turning nicely and [left-arm spinner] Keshav (Maharaj) got five in the first innings.
"The nature of the wicket was you could either get wickets quickly or it's slow scoring and we were favouring our chances because Ross was not going to bat and Trent was injured."
South Africa's opening batsman Dean Elgar, who scored 140 in the first innings and 89 in the second, was named man of the match.
The second game in Wellington will start on March 16, before the third match at Seddon Park in Hamilton begins on March 25.
The match had been delicately poised entering the final day with South Africa 224 for six in the second innings, a lead of 191 runs, with captain Faf du Plessis on 56 and Vernon Philander on one at University Oval.
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However, heavy rain which began early on Sunday, ensured a delayed start and after the scheduled lunch break was taken at 1 p.m. local time, umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford decided there was no chance of any further play.
"I think the game was shaping up quite nicely for all three results," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson after the match. "The game was certainly in the balance and it's just a shame not to get any play today. But it's nice going into the second match with both teams having played some good cricket."
The Black Caps will enter the second match at Wellington's Basin Reserve without batting stalwart Ross Taylor, who tore his calf muscle during the first innings, while left arm pace bowler Trent Boult is under an injury cloud.
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"It's a real shame to lose Ross, our premier batter, but therein lies an opportunity for someone else," Williamson added. "[Trent Boult] does have a little niggle, but we don't know how serious it is yet. He will travel with us to Wellington and hopefully he will recover. He is a big player for us."
Proteas captain Du Plessis felt his side could also have won the game had they set New Zealand a target of about 250 runs in 60 overs.
"It was set up to be a great finish," said Du Plessis. "We were looking to get about another 50 or 60 runs and on this wicket the ball is turning nicely and [left-arm spinner] Keshav (Maharaj) got five in the first innings.
"The nature of the wicket was you could either get wickets quickly or it's slow scoring and we were favouring our chances because Ross was not going to bat and Trent was injured."
South Africa's opening batsman Dean Elgar, who scored 140 in the first innings and 89 in the second, was named man of the match.
The second game in Wellington will start on March 16, before the third match at Seddon Park in Hamilton begins on March 25.