By Greg Stutchbury
WELLINGTON, March 27 (Reuters) – Poor weather undoubtedly
halted South Africa’s march to the top of the world test
rankings after they claimed a 1-0 series win against New Zealand
when the third and final test at the Basin Reserve ended in a
draw on Tuesday.
Grameme Smith’s side completed the series victory courtesy
of a nine-wicket win in the second test in Hamilton, with the
other two matches badly affected by rain. They also won both the
earlier Twenty20 and one-day international series.
The Proteas did have an opportunity to clinch a 2-0 win on
the final day of the third test after Morne Morkel claimed 6-23,
only for Kane Williamson to graft his second test century and
ensure New Zealand scratched out a battling draw.
“It’s been a terrific tour for us,” Smith said of the way in
which the side had managed to build on their victories in the
Twenty20 and one-day international series into the tests.
“Any tour where you can walk away with every trophy is a
tick. There have been some great performances throughout the
six-and-a-half weeks.
“All teams in all formats have played well, which is what
you want.”
South Africa had the opportunity to claim the world’s top
test ranking if they swept the tests 3-0, but rain washed out
the final day of play in Dunedin and more than seven hours in
Wellington, something Smith rued.
“We’ve pretty much been on the front foot throughout this
test series… (but) the weather played a big part in Dunedin
and here.
Continued…
