SOUTH AFRICA v NEW ZEALAND 1953-54

At Johannesburg, December 24, 26, 28, 29. South Africa won by 132 runs. A splendidly fought match, abounding with incident, ended in anti-climax on the fourth day when New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for 32 runs. Even on the first day the pitch was always lively enough to enable the pace bowlers to make the ball lift and throughout batsmen had to fight hard for runs. After a poor start, South Africa recovered well through the capital batting of Endean, who made many attractive off-side strokes in a display lasting just under three hours and including thirteen 4's. McLean and van Ryneveld helped him in two valuable partnerships.

On the second day, Ironside and Adcock, the South African opening bowlers, also made the ball lift, and Sutcliffe, the left-harder, received a blow on the lead from Adcock before scoring; Miller was hit on the chest by the same bowler. Both went to hospital for X-ray but batted again later, Sutcliffe to such good purpose that he hit seven 6's--three in one over by Tayfield--and four 4's and was unbeaten when the innings closed.

South Africa led by 84, but by the end of the day they had lost three wickets for 35, and with Reid, Overton and MacGibbon still finding the pitch helpful, they were all out cheaply on the third day. Rabone, the New Zealand captain, batted so resolutely against the lifting ball that his country's first victory in any Test Match seemed in prospect when play closed, but next morning the fiery Adcock and Ironside proved irresistible.