Rain has final say in compelling Test
The final day of the first Test promised to be an intriguing one, but 14 hours of incessant rain in Dunedin made play impossible and the match was called a draw just after 2pm
06/03Result
1st Test, South Africa tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Mar 7-11 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
238 & 435/5d -
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
273 & 137/2 (41 ov)
Player of the Match
06/03Result
1st Test, South Africa tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Mar 7-11 2012
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
238 & 435/5d -
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
273 & 137/2 (41 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Smith more disappointed at washout
New Zealand needed 264 runs with eight wickets in hand on the final day, setting the match up for a photo finish. It ended up a damp squib, something both captains were disappointed by, with Smith the one who clearly expected more
DRS continues in NZ-SA Tests after crisis talks
The Decision Review System (DRS) will be in use for the remaining two Test matches between New Zealand and South Africa after a possible pull out from technology providers Virtual Eye was prevented on Sunday
Day 4
Rudolph, NZ set up absorbing final day
An unbeaten 82-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor set up a tantalising final day in Dunedin, in which all four results remain possible
New Zealand must show patience
Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum are naturally aggressive but must learn from Jacques Kallis to wait for run-scoring opportunities as they attempt a record chase
Jacques Rudolph's second coming
A demotion to No.6 in a stop-start career was one last chance for Jacques Rudolph to revive his Test career. In this Test, he has grabbed his opportunity
A strategic break and a mistaken identity
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa, in Dunedin
Day 3
Smith and Kallis tons give South Africa control
A 200-run stand and hundreds to South Africa's two most experienced hands put the visitors in command in Dunedin
Smith builds foundation for South Africa, again
The fact that South Africa have never lost a Test when Graeme Smith has scored a century, is testament to his prowess as a batsman
Boult's attack, and a bonus for Kallis
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the third day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin
Kallis unconvinced by ball-tracking technology
A review today sparked another debate about the Decision Review System, with Jacques Kallis saying he "is not convinced by the predictive path" of the delivery shown by the ball-tracking technology
Day 2
Honours even after hard-fought day
A gripping second day of Test cricket at the University Oval in Dunedin left precious little separating the teams, with New Zealand five runs ahead of South Africa's 238, with a wicket in hand
Tahir shows control and poise
The legspinner showed signs of frustration early on, but recovered to bowl an accurate spell
New Zealand falter after weathering the storm
New Zealand's batsmen survived a technique-testing new-ball burst but squandered the advantage due to some poor shot selection
Applause for Martin, grimaces for Morkel
The Plays of the Day from the second day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa, in Dunedin
Day 1
Martin burst turns first day New Zealand's way
A Chris Martin triple-strike just after tea justified Ross Taylor's decision to bowl first on a placid Dunedin surface, as New Zealand first toppled South Africa's top order giants, then made headway into the tail, to leave the visitors on 191 for 7 at st
Dunedin's bowling crease, and sawdust in the outfield
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the first day of the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa, in Dunedin
'Feeling of calmness' playing South Africa - Martin
Chris Martin has taken a measured view of why he was able to trouble a highly-rated South Africa batting line-up, yet again
New Zealand enliven dull day with piercing bowling
After a cagey beginning, New Zealand decided to depend on aggression rather than the pitch to make inroads, with Chris Martin leading the way. Once conditions started helping, their bowlers had South Africa in trouble
Others
Young NZ players need to be managed better - Warren Lees
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper and coach Warren Lees says the gap between seniors and juniors in the national setup is too wide
Philander prepares for tougher examination
Philander is in the fledgling stages of a career that looks set to take off with all the glory of an eagle in full flight and he cannot be expected to take a five-for every time he walks on to a cricket field
A big series for Kane Williamson
He gets his chance to seize the day, the series and his career by applying himself with the bat this month
Dominant South Africa hold all the aces
New Zealand have won only one home Test out of 14 against South Africa, and their win-loss ratio against them is among the worst