Persistent rain washed out the last day’s play on Wednesday and left New Zealand frustrated, denying it a series-levelling win against South Africa in the final Test in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Going into the final day, South Africa was in a bit of bother at 80 for 5 in its second innings, still, 95 runs short of making New Zealand bat again with Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock batting on 15 each. However, continuous rain forced the umpires to abandon play without a ball being bowled.
The non-result meant South Africa took the three-match series 1-0 after winning the second Test in Wellington by eight wickets. The first Test in Dunedin was also rained out on the final day when evenly poised with South Africa 224 for 6 in the second innings, a lead of 191.
Over the rain-affected first four days of the third Test, New Zealand reached a strong position with captain Kane Williamson scoring 176 to give his side a 175-run lead in the first innings.
His third-highest Test score, along with half-centuries from Tom Latham (50), Jeet Raval (88) and Colin de Grandhomme (57), powered New Zealand to 489 after the bowlers had combined to dismiss the visiting side for 314.
Jeetan Patel then picked up a couple of wickets late on the fourth day as South Africa was reduced to 80 for 5, setting up an interesting finish on the final day.
Rain, however, had the final say and ensured South Africa completed a sweep across formats in the tour, having won the only Twenty20 International and the five-match One-Day International series 3-2. – African News Agency (ANA)