Western Province and Natal battle to draw

A competitive and absorbing first-class game between two of the top sides in the country, both fielding their full-strength sides, ended with honours even at Newlands on Monday as Western Province and Natal settled for a draw.

While the game was never dull, the result was perhaps a little predictable after rain had ruined day three and bad light also played a part in curtailing play on the first two days.

Province can fairly claim to have been the better side, particulalarly as Natal were in just a little trouble late on the final day, reduced to 96-5 with twenty overs remaining to be bowled as they chased a notional victory target of 281.

But in Doug Watson the visitors had an opener who was supremely unruffled and continued to hit the bad ball and in John Kent, an extremely promising young all-rounder who Province failed to dismiss in the match.

When the game was brought to an end nine overs before the scheduled finish, Watson had moved on to 60, and Kent was a confident 19. Nothing Province captain HD Ackerman tried could separate the pair - not the spin of Paul Adams to which he turned late in the afternoon, nor the occasional medium pace of young Graeme Smith.

He was looking to surprise the visitors, but their resolve was exemplary and entirely professional.

Perhaps Province could have moved to their declaration target a little quicker. Only Neil Johnson really applied the long handle in the quest for quick runs, although Gary Kirsten batted beautifully for his 54 and Jacques Kallis again looked almost immovable until he misjudged the occasional off-spin of Mark Bruyns and was stumped for 84.

It was the second time in the match Kallis had looked a certainty to reach three figures, and he will be looking to make up for the double disappointment when he plays in the first Test against New Zealand in Bloemfontein which starts on Friday.