The second Castle Lager Test between South Africa and New Zealand ended in a tame draw on Monday afternoon.
When the umpires offered the batsmen the light just after 4pm, New Zealand had 121 for three in their second innings, for an overall lead of 202 runs.
New Zealand dismissed South Africa for 512 shortly after lunch, when Makhaya Ntini was run out by Nathan Astle for 11. Earlier, Ashwell Prince reached his fourth century in his 20th Test.
At one stage, he appeared to be in danger of running out of partners, when James Franklin took two wickets in two balls. But first Andre Nel and then Dale Steyn provided him with the support he needed, and Prince reached his ton with a magnificent straight drive that rocketed to the boundary. Prince ended the innings unbeaten on 108. He took just more than six hours to reach his 100, and faced 259 deliveries.
Franklin and debutant Jeetan Patel each ended with three wickets, Daniel Vettori took two, and Jacob Oram one. The two spinners — Vettori and Patel — did most of the bowling, sending down 105 of the 188 overs bowled to South Africa.
With less than two sessions left to play, and no hope of a result, Stephen Fleming used the time to give some of his batsmen valuable time at the wicket.
Dale Steyn and Ntini took early wickets — Steyn grabbing the wicket of Michael Papps and Ntini dismissed Peter Fulton. Jacques Kallis weighed in by taking the wicket of Nathan Astle, to bring his total to 198 Test wickets. He needs just two more to join Sir Garfield Sobers as the only players to score 8 000 runs and take 200 runs.
Scott Styris scored his sixth Test 50 in 26 Tests. It took him two hours and came off just 66 balls.
The New Zealand captain, who made 262 in New Zealand’s first innings, was named man of the match.
South Africa go into the final Test, which starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday, with an unassailable 1-0 lead. Shaun Pollock is reported to be recovering well from a back strain, and is expected to be available for the final Test.
It is not yet clear whether Nicky Boje, who split the webbing between his thumb and first finger while fielding, will be able to play. He had five stitches, which have to remain in place for seven to nine days. However, the injury is to his right hand, and so will not affect his bowling. He bowled five overs on Monday afternoon, and did not appear to be in too much discomfort. — Sapa