Rain ruins final day with Dunedin Test interestingly poised

The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa at University Oval in Dunedin ended in a frustrating draw on Sunday (March 12) after rain meant no play at all on the final day.

The umpires waited until the end of the scheduled lunch break before announcing that no play would be possibe. That left South Africa on 224 for 6 in its second innings, a lead of 191 runs, with Faf du Plessis unbeaten on 56 and Vernon Philander on one. South Africa had earlier scored 308 in its first innings, to which New Zealand had replied with 341.

After the latest exchange, both captains claimed to have gained a psychological edge.

For New Zealand, it was because the side managed to eke out a first-innings lead despite losing Ross Taylor to a calf muscle tear early in the script. For South Africa, it was the fact that the team had a decent lead and had one frontline batsman less to handle.

“To put partnerships together against the very good attack they have was a good effort,” said Kane Williamson. “You always want more, which never goes away no matter how many you get, but it was nice to get a little lead going into that second innings.”

Neil Broom has replaced Taylor for the second game, which starts in Wellington on Thursday, while Matt Henry has also been added to the squad as cover for Trent Boult, who has a leg injury.

“When a Test match finishes on a day like today it's very frustrating,” said Faf du Plessis. “If today was a full day of cricket, we felt with (New Zealand) one seamer down and one of their main batters out of the team, we fancied our chances. It's very disappointing from that point of view.

“We were 190 ahead on a wicket that was spinning quite a bit, purely on the match position if we got 50-60 more runs, a 250 lead, and set them that in 50-60 overs, we'd fancy our chances.”