Proteas claim series after Hamilton washout

An abandoned fifth day of the third Test against New Zealand meant the Proteas finished with a draw at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The result also ensured South Africa won the series 1-0 thanks to their eight-wicket win in the second Test in Wellington, while it ended a dream summer – they won every series – in second place on the ICC rankings, having started it in seventh back in August last year.
But it was a disappointing end to the tour for the Black Caps after they held all the aces heading into day five, only to be denied by the weather.
Over 50 mm of rain reportedly fell in the period between stumps on day four and lunch on day five, starting with heavy overnight downpours that left the ground drenched.
Despite the rain stopping for periods, it seemed to return each time the mop-up operation was underway, leaving umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker with little choice but to call off proceedings.
The Proteas had their backs to the wall going into the last day on 80/5 in their second innings and still trailing by 95 runs. All hope rested on captain Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock, both on 15, but they were not required to continue their innings.
Latest
-
News
Stephen Eskinazi stars in record-breaking Middlesex win over Gloucestershire
Paul Stirling made the first century of the Vitality Blast season for Birmingham Bears.
-
News
Ollie Robinson’s England hopes scuppered by back problem
The seamer was plagued by persistent back issues during the Ashes series and missed all three matches against the West Indies.
-
News
Justin Langer blames politics for Australia exit and laughs off England links
Langer was linked with one of the two vacant posts with England.
-
News
He deserves to be there – England’s Matthew Potts backed to shine in Test arena
Potts has received his first international call-up for the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
News
On this day in 2015: Trevor Bayliss appointed England head coach
The Australian leapfrogged initial front-runner Jason Gillespie to replace the sacked Peter Moores.
-
News
Andrew Strauss sets five-year goal for England men’s side to rule all formats
The former England captain and director of cricket is overseeing a high performance review into English cricket.
-
News
Shane Warne to be remembered during England’s Test with New Zealand at Lord’s
The former player and TV pundit died aged 52 on March 4 after a suspected heart attack.
-
News
Sport moves fast – Ben Compton goes from relative unknown to England contention
The opener is averaging a spectacular 109.75 after amassing 878 LV= Insurance County Championship runs.
-
News
Dom Sibley can show he is England’s ‘best opener’ says team-mate Michael Burgess
The Warwickshire pair are part of a County Select XI that will face New Zealand in Chelmsford on Thursday.
-
County Cricket
Warwickshire chief executive insists The Hundred and Vitality Blast can coexist
Questions have been raised after reports of slow ticket sales for the Blast.