Ontong fails to lift the gloom

Rest of South Africa 395 and 270 for 8 (Ontong 144*) drew with New Zealanders 372
Scorecard

The New Zealanders' tour match against Rest of South Africa at Benoni petered out in a meaningless draw after bad light delayed the start and effectively killed any chance of either side forcing a result. When play was called off because of persistent drizzle at teatime, the game had long ceased to be of interest to anyone other than statisticians and Justin Ontong.

Ontong, who resumed on 59, ploughed on to his ninth first-class hundred, batting five-and-a-half hours in all and finishing unbeaten on 144.

When play did get underway, James Franklin briefly stirred the pulses by dismissing Neil McKenzie with the third ball of the day, but Thami Tsolekile kept Ontong company for almost an hour to remove any lingering chance the New Zealanders had of quickly disposing of the home side. Robin Peterson hung around another hour to ensure that Rest of South Africa wouldn't have to do anything as tiresome as field, and although Scott Styris and Daniel Vettori both struck shortly before tea, by then it was of no consequence.