New Zealand 273(Brendon McCullum 48, Daniel Vettori 46, Vernon Philander 4-72) and 137 for 2 (McCullum unbeaten 58 and Ross Taylor not out 48) South Africa 238 (Hashim Amla 62 and Graeme Smith 53, Chris Martin 4-56) and 435 for 5 declared (Graeme Smith 115, Jacques Kallis 113 and Jacques Rudolph unbeaten 105).

 

Graeme smith was distressed as the first Test against New Zealand ended in a draw due to rain on the fifth and final day.

The encounter took place at University Oval, Dunedin on March 7, 8, 9,10 and 11, 2012.

The Proteas were bowled out for 238 off 68.2 overs in their first innings, Hashim Amla was the top scorer with 62, Graeme Smith managed 53 runs while opening the innings and Jacques Rudolph contributed 52 runs.

Chris Martin was the highest wicket taker with four, Doug Bracewell held two, Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori claimed one wicket each.

The Kiwis first innings was folded back on 273 runs from 88.2 overs, Brendon McCullum scored 48, Vettori 46 and Ross Taylor 44.

Vernon was the main destructor with four wickets, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel shared one wicket each.

The Proteas declared their second innings for 435 and a target of 401 runs was set for the home side to clinch the match. The visitors were strengthened with three centuries achieved by their skipper Graeme Smith (115), Jacques Kallis (113) and Jacques Rudolph unbeaten with 105 runs.

Bracewell secured three wickets, Boult and Kane Williamson chipped in with one wicket each.

New Zealand started off badly in their second innings when their opener Rob Nicol and Martin Guptill could not provide a solid start. The first wicket of Guptill was lost at 16 and Nicol departed after 39 runs were accumulated for the second wicket.

Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor consolidated the innings with a dedicated unbroken third wicket partnership of 82 runs and they were at the crease for 58 and 48 respectively. The Black Caps had lost two wickets for 137 runs at the close of the fourth day’s play and still required 264 runs to win the match.

Graeme Smith was a displeased captain when the match slipped away from them because of the 14 hours continuous rain. He knew in advance about the weather forecast and decided to declare the innings to win the match and commented,

“We expected this, so that’s why we declared when we did yesterday. We were hoping to have a bit of a go at them,” he said. “We were aiming for about four or five down with a second new ball around the corner, [then] I think we would have been in with a shot.”

New Zealand must be feeling relieved as they escaped a potentially challenging fifth day and South Africa could have gone one up in the series taking in view their penetrative bowling.

Both teams now have to wait for the second Test to show their potentials which will commence from March 19, 2012 at Seddon Park, Hamilton.