NZ and South Africa Test ends in a draw after rain

Dunedin, Mar 11: The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa ended in a draw on Sunday due to rain which ended the dramatic match on fifth day.

[Scorecard: New Zealand vs South Africa, First Test, Dunedin]

New Zealand were short by 264 runs to claim victory. The Kiwis were supposed to resume play at 137/2 after South Africa declared its second innings on the fourth day at 435/5 with a lead of 400.

New Zealand needed to 401 to win, which would have been the highest target chased in its test history. Previously. New Zealand beat Pakistan by five wickets chasing 324 in 1994.

With Brendon McCullum (58*) and Ross Taylor (48*) on the crease, the home side had a good chance chase down the target as the duo put up a partnership of 82 runs together.

But heavy rains lashed out overnight which continued throughout the day and gave no hope of resuming play. Umpire Aleem Dar of Pakistan and Billy Doctrove were forced to abandon by 2:30 pm local time as rains poured down during the first session and persisted into the afternoon.

Around 58 overs were lost due to rain during the first day, but play resumed during the next three days mainly in cool conditions at the world's most southerly test ground to raise hopes of a result on Sunday, the final day.

The second match of the three-Test begins at Hamilton on Thursday and the final Test will be played in Wellington from March 23.

ThatsCricket

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/oneindia-cricket/~3/hmV3Q_dB-SA/nz-and-south-africa-test-ends-in-a-draw-after-rain.html

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