Black Caps test ends in draw after last day washed out

Wagner, who was born in South Africa and frequently played against Elgar in high school matches, dismissed Elgar with a short ball that caught the edge and flew to New Zealand wicketkeeper B.J. Wagner, breaking a 104 run partnership with Bavuma.

Dean Elgar helped to stretch South Africa’s lead against New Zealand as the opener again impressed on Day Four of the first Test here on Saturday.

That triggered the fall of three wickets for 27 runs but Neil Wagner hit two sixes in his run-a-ball 32 to take New Zealand into a handy lead.

Amla now has 23 not out with four fours, and Elgar, batting patiently, has a boundaryless 12 not out, as the Proteas take a mere five-run lead.

If South Africa send for reinforcements, they will likely choose between offspinner Dane Piedt, left-arm wristspinner Tabraiz Shamsi or could even recall legspiner Imran Tahir, who has not played a Test since December 2015.

New Zealand’s innings was built around Kane Williamson’s 16th Test century.

Pace bowler Matt Henry has also been added to the squad with Trent Boult nursing a leg injury.

It is a great shame that drizzle is expected all day on day five but we are in the South Island of New Zealand and such weather is no surprise in these parts. “But hopefully we can make a game of it, it’s always nice to get a result”, said South Africa’s man of the moment Keshav Maharaj.

The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa stopped dead after an alarm went off in the main grandstand, forcing an evacuation of the entire venue.

The captains have shaken hands after rain prevented any play in the first session of the day and there was little chance of it clearing this afternoon.

At 224/6, skipper Faf du Plessis, 56, and Vernon Philander, one, will be at the crease this morning, looking to extend their lead.

His 16th Test century, off 195 balls, brought him level with Taylor and is now just one behind Martin Crowe for the most Test centuries by a New Zealander. Reports from the South African camp say the Proteas won’t be heading to the Dunedin grounds until 1:30pm.

“I’m sure in their dressingroom they’ll be saying‚ “If we can get a couple of early (wickets) we can run through them and try and chase 220‚ 240”. A light precedent had been set the day before and the umpires then told Kane Williamson that he could only bowl spin until it improved.