/ 9 October 1997

Test heads for a draw

THURSDAY, 4.30PM:

SOUTH Africa ended the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi 97 runs shy of the home team’s total, with the match headed for a draw.

fter a strong start to the innings, SA collapsed in the afternoon session, slipping from 205 for one wicket to 282 for six. Only an an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership between all-rounder Shaun Pollock (36) and wicketkeeper Dave Richardson (30) of 77 runs left the visitors on 359 for six at the close.

Other contributions to the day’s run tally came from Kirsten (98), Kallis (61) and Cronje (24).

Saqlain Mushtaq produced some spectacular bowling, taking five for 127 off an amazing 59 overs.

THURSDAY, 12.30PM:

SOUTH Africa managed to avoid a follow-on in the first innings of the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi, finishing on 259 for four wickets at tea.

Gary Kirsten tasted bitter disappointment as he failed by two runs to get his fifth Test century when he was caught at slip by Ijaz Ahmed off the bowling of Saqlain Mushtaq for 98, after having faced 344 balls in over seven hours at the crease.

South Africa lost two early wickets after lunch with Jacques Kallis first to go, lbw to Mushtaq for 62, his first Test half century. He was followed by Kirsten and a while later by Daryll Cullinan, also lbw to Mushtaq, for 16.

Currently at the crease are skipper Hansie Cronje (11) and Brian McMillan (2).

Mushtaq has so far taken all the South African wickets, with stat of four for 79 off 43 overs.

THURSDAY, 10.30AM:

SOUTH Africa continued their fiery start to their first innings in the first Test against Pakistan at Rawalpindi, taking the score up to 205 for one wicket at lunch time. The local boys still need 52 runs to avoid a follow-on.

Opener Gary Kirsten raised his tally from 62 this morning to 88 at lunch, and Jacques Kallis batted his maiden Test half-century at 52.