Match called off due to rain

Match abandoned due to rain
Scorecard

Rain stopped barking and finally took a bite out of the series, with the fourth one-dayer in Dunedin being called off, and a replay scheduled for the next day. The replayed game will be a day game that begins at 12pm local time (11pm GMT).

Play looked likely for a while when Graeme Smith won the toss yet again and put New Zealand in to bat. But rain washed the ground minutes before play was to begin. South Africa had their fourth success with the coin, but the rain ensured that there would be another toss tomorrow.

South Africa's inability to use the conditions - and the form of a rejuvenated New Zealand side - has resulted in two losses on the go. New Zealand's victory in the third ODI came after the bowlers pegged back South Africa during the middle overs, and even inspired batting by Shaun Pollock could only take his team to the precipice of victory. An injury sustained during the game kept him out of today's team, and Lance Klusener was his replacement.

For New Zealand, the third match was an eye-opener. Michael Papps showed everyone what the fuss was about when he scored his first fifty and played a vital role in giving his team its first significant start of the series. And then their bowlers caged the batsmen. South Africa's bowlers, barring Pollock, were made ineffectual and they failed to live up to the reputation that preceded them to New Zealand. It was a U-turn from previous expectations.