Amla looks on bright side after damp series

South Africa Test captain Hashim Amla was disappointed that the bulk of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh was rained off, but looked on the bright side to praise Dale Steyn after he took his 400th Test wicket.

The Chittagong Test lost two days to rain, while the second Test in Dhaka saw four full days go by without a ball bowled. On day one though, Steyn took three wickets to end the match on 402 Test wickets, joining a small club.

Amla said after day five in Dhaka was called off and a draw declared: "Four days rained out in a Test match, it is an unusual thing. Cricket has been good, but we have hardly played much cricket here.

"The highlight of the series was probably Steyn's 400th wicket."

He added of the local groundstaff's tireless, but futile efforts: "The groundstaff did a great job. We are grateful to play a bit of cricket here, but it was not enough. Now, it's time to go back home and gear up for New Zealand."

The Proteas will play two T20s and three ODIs against the Black Caps in South Africa later this month. It's winder, and thus rainy season in SA too, but the games are scheduled in the drier parts of the country.

For their parts, the umpires felt they had no choice but to call off the game on Monday, despite the rain stopping, as the field was unplayable. Umpire Richard Kettleborough explained: "We saw a lot of rain for the past three days.

"The ground hasn't dried well enough. There are many areas on the outfield where you feel that the surface is very loose under your feet. The outfield is just not ready.

"It would have taken around 4-5 hours to be fine but unfortunately, this is the last day play and there's no point asking the players to dive around on a muddy outfield.

"The players were happy with the decision to call it off, considering we have not seen any play after the first day."