Ken Borland

LIVE UPDATES & FULL SESSION REPORTS FOR ALL SA CRICKET MATCHES on SuperSport.com

The final page of the first test between New Zealand and South Africa was left unwritten as rain washed out the last day’s play at the University Oval in Dunedin on Sunday.

After the first two days had finished basically all-square, South Africa took control of the test by posting 435 for five declared in their second innings, thanks to memorable centuries by Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Jacques Rudolph.

That set New Zealand a highly unlikely 401 to win, with South Africa’s target of 10 wickets in four-and-a-half sessions more likely.

But the experienced pair of Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor had left the test interestingly poised after the fourth day as they took New Zealand to 137 for two. But there was to be no gripping finale as sheets of rain fell on the fourth night and continued on Sunday, with the test being called off an hour after lunch.

Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor batted through the final session to take New Zealand to 137 for two at stumps on the fourth day of the first test on Saturday.

The hosts will need to score a further 264 runs on what should be an absorbing final day.

After tea, there was just the one success for the Proteas, as legspinner Imran Tahir claimed the wicket of opening batsman Rob Nicol for 19 in the most fortunate of ways.

Having come through a torrid 90 minutes against the quick bowlers, Nicol’s concentration obviously wavered against the slow bowler and he bunted a dipping full toss to mid-on, where Graeme Smith moved to his left and took a low, tumbling catch.

New Zealand were 55 for two, but the class of McCullum and Taylor then shone through as they added 82 for the third wicket in 20.5 overs.

McCullum was the initial aggressor and the former wicketkeeper raced to his half-century off just 65 balls, the precision of his strokeplay, whether scoring in front of the wicket or behind, being most impressive.

The second half of the session belonged to Taylor as McCullum added just eight more runs to his tally from the last 26 balls he faced before the umpires took the players off for bad light 10 minutes before the close of play.

The skill and timing of the Kiwi captain, particularly through the off side, was in great evidence as Taylor stroked eight fours in his 48 not out off 68 balls.

The South African attack began to look innocuous on the stodgy pitch, with Dale Steyn clearly out of sorts and Tahir tending to bowl too full.

Vernon Philander looked the most threatening of the bowlers with consistent movement off the seam, while Morne Morkel hurried the batsmen with some fiery short-pitched bowling.

Afternoon session

Jacques Rudolph and Vernon Philander were the shining lights as New Zealand reached tea on 27 for one on the fourth day of the first test against South Africa at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.

Rudolph finished on 105 not out as South Africa declared their second innings on 435 for five, and finished the session well on top with New Zealand still 374 runs from a highly unlikely victory.

South Africa had resumed on 359 for five after lunch and Rudolph and Mark Boucher quickly got on with it. New Zealand were not able to stop them scoring at will as 76 runs were scored in 16 overs.

Canny left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was the one bowler not to get collared, conceding just 65 runs in 32 overs through the innings.

South African captain Graeme Smith probably always intended to declare midway through the second session with a lead of around 400, but the timing worked so perfectly that Rudolph was able to notch his first test century since December 2005 against Australia in Perth.

Rudolph completed his sixth test century in four hours, off 177 balls, in a solid display of strokeplay, sweet timing and sound technique. Boucher also looked in solid form as he scored 34 not out with four boundaries.

South Africa had 11 overs at the New Zealand openers before tea and Philander struck the first blow by removing Martin Guptill, one of their key batsmen, for 6.

Guptill was out when he pushed half-forward to an away-swinger from the pace bowler and edged an easy catch to third slip.

Brendon McCullum had raced to 10 not out, with two fours, at the break, the same score opener Rob Nicol had laboured 38 balls to reach.

McCullum is a class batsman and will be a key wicket for South Africa to gain before the close of the fourth day.

Morning session

South Africa lost the services of Jacques Kallis early on, but Jacques Rudolph carried them to 359 for five at lunch on the fourth day of the first test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday.

Rudolph was the chief provider of runs as he took his overnight score of 13 to 59 not out and South Africa extended their lead to 324. The other not out batsman is Mark Boucher on five.

The search for quick runs was stymied to an extent by the early loss of Kallis, who was dismissed in the ninth over of the day when he flicked the lively left-armer, Trent Boult, straight to midwicket.

Kallis was out for 113, which included 16 beautiful boundaries, but the most impressive aspect of the innings was its construction. Kallis had come in when the loss of two wickets in an over had left South Africa reeling on an effective score of 12 for two, but the composure and sheer technical brilliance of the Proteas’ leading run-scorer carried him through a tricky start. He became more fluent as he gained the measure of the bowlers and the stodgy pitch and seemed set to up the run-rate again on the fourth morning when he was out.

AB de Villiers came in and it was obvious he had positive intentions as he welcomed Tim Southee by cutting him superbly through the covers for four.

But De Villiers had reached 29 when he heaved the part-time off-spin of Kane Williamson to cow corner and it was left to Rudolph to guide the target-setting effort.

The experienced left-hander breezed to his 11th test half-century and second of the match off 106 balls as he took to seamer Doug Bracewell with successive boundaries nine overs before lunch.

The game rather went to sleep after the dismissal of De Villiers, with Rudolph and Boucher content to make it to lunch and New Zealand just trying to restrict the number of runs scored. The players even had the cheek to wander off the field for lunch before umpire Aleem Dar had even called time!

– http://www.supersport.com/cricket/sa-team/news/120310/Match_in_the_balance

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Exciting batting by Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor left the final day nicely poised as New Zealand reached 137 for two at stumps on the fourth day of the first test against South Africa on Saturday.

34th over – The flurry of runs continues as Taylor lashes a cut through backward point for four off Jacques Kallis.

33rd over – Imran Tahir pitches the googly on leg-stump, Taylor reads it and leg-glances the ball for another four.

32nd over – A wonderful over for New Zealand. McCullum completes his half-century, Ross Taylor then brings up the fifty partnership off just 70 balls as he skilfully steers Kallis between backward point and gully for four. Taylor then pushes the next delivery sweetly through the covers for another boundary.

31st over – Tahir continues to bowl very full and Taylor drives beautifully and elegantly through extra cover for four.

29th over – Tahir drops short and McCullum pulls him powerfully for six.

22nd over – Dale Steyn slides down leg and McCullum turns the ball around the corner, beating a very square fine-leg for another boundary.

21st over – WICKET – Rob Nicol has come through a torrid 90 minutes against the quick bowlers and now he bunts a dipping full toss from leg-spinner Tahir to mid-on, where Graeme Smith moves to his left and takes a low, tumbling catch. Nicol scored 19, but what a way to go! Taylor is off the mark with a boundary as he steers a full ball outside off stump through point.

18th over – Vernon Philander is bowling straighter now and Nicol jumps across and flicks the ball through square-leg with wonderful timing for four.

16th over – Philander eventually departs from his immaculate line and length, McCullum seizing on a bit of width outside off stump and crunching a cut for four through point.

15th over – Full and outside off stump from Morne Morkel and McCullum monsters a magnificent cover drive for four. Morkel ends the over by thundering a bouncer into McCullum’s shoulder, from where it loops to the slips. Considering how far away from the gloves the ball was, South Africa’s decision to review the not out verdict is absurd.

The impeccable Vernon Philander made the first breakthrough as New Zealand went into tea on 27 for one on the fourth day of the first test against South Africa at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.

11th over – Morne Morkel strays on to the leg-stump and Brendon McCullum tickles the ball away for four runs to fine leg.

10th over – Short and wide from Dale Steyn – a poor ball – and McCullum jumps all over the gift, getting off the mark with a crunching square-cut for four.

8th over – WICKET – Philander is rewarded for his impeccable line and length as he claims the wicket of Martin Guptill for eight. Guptill pushes half-forward, there is just a bit of away movement, and he edges the ball straight to AB de Villiers at third slip.

5th over – Morkel has been a little straight in his first over and Rob Nicol turns him neatly through midwicket for the first boundary of the innings.

South Africa decided to keep New Zealand in the field until their lead was 400, declaring their second innings on 435 for five on the fourth day of the second test at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.

138th over – After just two balls on 99, Jacques Rudolph meatily sweeps a straightish delivery from Daniel Vettori over the infield for four to reach his sixth test century off 177 balls in four hours. The stylish left-hander has put South Africa in a powerful position with his impressive innings.

137th over – Another horrible long-hop from Tim Southee and Mark Boucher chops it one-bounce over backward point for four. Jacques Rudolph ends the over with a square-drive over point for four as he races to 99 not out.

136th over – Daniel Vettori is trying to target the rough full outside Rudolph’s off-stump, but over-pitches and the left-hander lashes the ball past deep mid-off for another boundary.

135th over – Southee again drags down the first ball of a spell and Rudolph cuts it powerfully for four.

133rd over – A marvellous shot by Boucher as he steps outside off stump and whips Trent Boult through midwicket for four.

131st over – Rudolph steps across and blasts Boult through the covers for four with a magnificent cover-drive.

127th over – Boult fires in a full ball on Boucher’s legs and he clips the ball through square-leg for a fine boundary. Rudolph then runs the last ball of the over down to the amazingly vacant third man boundary as 10 runs come off the over.

126th over – New Zealand have kept part-time off-spinner Kane Williamson on after lunch and Rudolph launches him over wide long-on for six.

A steady accumulation of runs saw South Africa reach 359 for five at lunch on the fourth day of the first test against New Zealand at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.

123rd over – A little bit of width from Chris Martin and Mark Boucher pounces, collecting his first boundary with a cracking square-cut.

118th over – WICKET – Part-time off-spinner Kane Williamson has his fourth test wicket as AB de Villiers heaves him straight to Brendon McCullum at cow corner. De Villiers is out for 29 off 55 balls.

115th over – Another fine shot behind the wicket by Rudolph as Doug Bracewell straightens the ball back into the left-hander and he glances it away for four. Rudolph has his second half-century of the match off the next ball, as he drives Bracewell crisply through the covers for four. There’s no denying he’s here to stay as he has batted for two-and-a-half hours and faced 106 balls, stroking nine fours.

114th over – The fifty partnership and the 300-run lead are up as Jacques Rudolph steers Tim Southee through the gully with wonderful timing for four.

113th over – Rudolph brings out the slog-sweep and cracks Daniel Vettori past the despairing dive of McCullum on the square-leg boundary for four.

110th over – Super shot by De Villiers as he late cuts a wide away-swinger from Southee past the slips for four.

107th over – Tossed up by Daniel Vettori and Rudolph punches in the ball in the air past the spinner’s left arm for four.

104th over – The 300 comes up with a beautiful stroke as left-armer Trent Boult, bowling over the wicket, delivers on to De Villiers’ pads and he strokes the ball wide of mid-on with wonderful timing for four.

102nd over – Full from Boult and Rudolph gets forward confidently and slams the ball through the covers for four.

99th over – Southee’s first ball is short, it sits up on the slow pitch and De Villiers cuts it through the covers for an emphatic first boundary.

98th over – Left-armer Boult is brought on and removes Kallis with his third delivery. WICKET – Kallis flicks a delivery off his pads but straight to midwicket and is out for 113, in 380 minutes off 263 balls, with 16 fours. It was another great innings by the run-hungry maestro, but South African fans would have liked to have seen more of him today.

91st over – Martin ends his first over of the day with a yorker, but it’s wide outside off stump and Rudolph expertly steers the ball between the slips and gully, the ball racing away to the boundary with the strong wind behind it.

The first test between South Africa and New Zealand continued to smoulder with exciting possibilities as the hosts ended the second day on 243 for nine at the University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

Defending just 238, South Africa managed to suppress the determined New Zealand’s batsmen’s push for a sizeable first-innings lead with a wonderfully disciplined and skilful display of bowling. A relentless line just outside off stump would give birth to a host of chances and there was also a controlled spell of leg-spin by Imran Tahir and good catching behind the wicket to complete a fine day for the tourists.

New Zealand’s last two batsmen – Trent Boult and Chris Martin – are at the crease and, with the lead just five runs, there is nothing to separate the two teams heading for the halfway mark.

The Black Caps had resumed after tea on 144 for five and Daniel Vettori and Kruger van Wyk, playing in his first test, gave little away as they added 53 for the sixth wicket.

The ball was 68 overs old and nothing much seemed to be happening for South Africa when captain Graeme Smith called his regular partnership-breaker, Jacques Kallis, into the attack. The Golden Arm once again did the trick, inducing a nothing-shot by Vettori and a return catch, which Kallis had to dash forward and dive to take.

Vettori might not look particularly stylish at the crease, but the left-hander is mightily effective as he showed in scoring 46 off 78 balls, with eight fours.

The South African-born Van Wyk battled on for over two hours, scoring 36 before Vernon Philander, armed with the second new ball, duped him into pushing at a delivery outside off stump, edging a low catch to Smith at first slip.

Tim Southee was easily dispatched by Philander as he lamely wafted at his second ball and was also caught by Smith at first slip, for a duck.

Doug Bracewell played an invaluable role in giving New Zealand the lead as he scored 25, before he was bowled by an inspired delivery from Dale Steyn that pitched on middle-and-leg before crashing into off-stump.

Philander was the most successful of the South African attack with 4-50 in 17 overs, but all the bowlers played a part in a fine all-round performance with the ball.

South Africa had removed dangermen Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor in quick succession to reduced New Zealand to 144 for five at tea.

McCullum and Taylor were the third and fourth wickets to fall, for 48 and 44 respectively, the double strike turning the tide back in favour of the South Africans after New Zealand’s two premier batsmen had added 65.

Morne Morkel has suffered mixed fortunes this year, but the lanky fast bowler set the tone with a marvellous burst straight after lunch, starting with the wicket of Martin Guptill for 16 with his fifth ball after the break.

Guptill was way too late with a tentative prod outside off stump and succeeded only in edging the ball back into his own stumps, and Morkel then piled on the pressure, with able support from Philander and Tahir, on to McCullum and Taylor.

But they batted with tremendous discipline and positive footwork and the momentum was New Zealand’s as they carried the hosts to 106 for two.

It was the leg-spin of Tahir that eventually made the crucial breakthrough, the persevering former Pakistani gratefully accepting the return catch after McCullum top-edged a sweep.

Morkel’s worst ball of the day – a dreadful short, wide delivery, brought its award, however, as Taylor edged a flatfooted cut through to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher.

Philander’s unrelenting accuracy and remorseless probing did for Kane Williamson (11), who edged a back-foot drive for Boucher to take his second catch.

McCullum and Guptill had defied the best of the South African bowlers as they steered New Zealand to 40 for one at lunch.

Guptill and McCullum were proudly obdurate as they shrugged off the early loss of Rob Nicol to survive the next dozen overs before lunch without being parted, adding 33 for the second wicket off 76 balls.

South Africa had earlier been dismissed for 238 in their first innings on a sunny, but still chilly, day on the South Island.

The visitors had resumed on 191 for seven and Jacques Rudolph completed a tenacious half-century in two-and-a-half hours as he and Philander brought up the 200.

The useful eighth-wicket partnership had grown to 35 when Martin, the hero of the first day, removed Philander for 22. The potential all-rounder was just beginning to up the tempo when Williamson did very well to hang on to a full-blooded cut in the gully. The wicket gave Martin final figures of 4-56 in 18 overs.

Rudolph, the star of the South African innings for his determination if nothing else, then followed a widish delivery from Bracewell (2-52) and edged it to point, falling for 52 off 99 balls.

Morkel (13*) and Tahir (10) then added another 16 runs for the last wicket before Tahir was run out trying for a crazy third run, but both bowlers did more important work with the ball in the afternoon.

New Zealand’s batsmen had 16 overs to face before lunch and the test-match edition of Guptill showed an admirably straight bat and strong defensive technique as he reached 16 not out at the break.

South Africa did pick up the wicket of his fellow opener Nicol for six in the fourth over. Philander was bowling an immaculate line just outside off stump and seaming the ball both ways, so the debutant Nicol obviously had to play at the shortish delivery that dismissed him, a touch of away movement finding the edge of the bat and presenting Smith with the easiest of catches at first slip.

 http://www.supersport.com/cricket/sa-team/news/120308/Honours_even_in_Dunedin

The insatiable Vernon Philander gobbled up four more wickets as New Zealand ended the second day of the first test against South Africa on 243 for nine at the University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

85th over – New Zealand have the first innings lead in style as Doug Bracewell flicks a poor delivery down the leg-side from Dale Steyn over square-leg for a one-bounce four.

82nd over – The second over with the second new ball brings two wickets for Philander and two catches for Graeme Smith at first slip. Kruger van Wyk’s fighting innings of 36 in over two hours is ended as he pushes at a delivery outside off stump and edges it low to Smith. Two balls later, Tim Southee wafts lamely outside off stump and is caught for a disappointing duck.

79th over – A lucky escape for Van Wyk on 34 as he pushes forward to an inswinger from Morne Morkel and is struck on the pad first. Umpire Billy Doctrove gives the batsman the benefit of the doubt in terms of him being struck outside the line of off stump. South Africa ask for the review, which says on-field call for the line, meaning Van Wyk stays and the visitors have no more reviews.

77th over – Short and wide from Steyn and Van Wyk square-cuts for an emphatic boundary. Bracewell ends a poor over from an off-colour Steyn with a classy cut for four through backward point.

76th over – Bracewell shuffles down the pitch and drives Imran Tahir on the full, through mid-on for four, despite a good diving effort by Graeme Smith on the boundary.

75th over – Steyn returns ahead of the second new ball and Van Wyk niftily late cuts him to the third man boundary.

74th over – Van Wyk wristily chops Jacques Kallis through point for four, despite a valiant attempt by Alviro Petersen diving and sliding on the boundary.

73rd over – New Zealand go past 200 as Doug Bracewell launches Imran Tahir over mid-on for a beefy boundary.

71st over – Lovely timing by Bracewell as he goes back and cuts Tahir through backward point for four.

68th over – Daniel Vettori and Van Wyk have just raised their fifty partnership and Kallis is brought on to bowl. And Golden Arm does the trick! WICKET – Vettori is aiming for the pull, but stops the shot because the ball does not bounce high enough, bunting the ball straight back down the pitch. Kallis rushes forward and then dives to take a splendid catch! Vettori did a great job for his team with his 46 off 78 balls, with eight fours.

66th over – Morkel pitches a yorker well outside off stump and Vettori throws the bat on it, sending the ball through gully for four.

60th over – Vettori jumps all over some width from Morkel, lashing the ball through the covers for four.

56th over – Van Wyk’s first international boundary comes as he drives Vernon Philander crisply through the covers for four. The second follows immediately afterwards as the diminutive former South African steers the ball very tidily between the slips and gully to the third man fence.

54th over – Philander continues after tea, but so does Daniel Vettori as he flicks a full ball from middle-and-leg through wide mid-on for four.

51st over – Dale Steyn returns, bowling around the wicket to the left-handed Daniel Vettori, who shovels a full ball through the covers and then leans back and cuts for two boundaries in the over.

50th over – WICKET – Vernon Philander has been probing away remorselessly at Kane Williamson with tremendous accuracy and the batsman finally succumbs as he edges a back-foot drive at a delivery that just nipped away a touch. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher takes the catch and Williamson is out for 11.

46th over – Full and wide outside off stump from Morne Morkel and Vettori carves it through the covers for four.

45th over – Imran Tahir gets away with a rank full toss which Vettori somehow toe-ends back to the bowler, but then bowls another full toss next ball and the left-hander sweeps it through midwicket for four.

42nd over – Morkel returns but Ross Taylor eases his first ball straight down the ground for an excellent boundary and then lashes a square-drive for four two balls later. WICKET – But much like many of the South African batsmen, Taylor is seemingly at his most vulnerable when he feels he is getting on top of the bowlers. The New Zealand captain edges a flatfooted cut at a dreadful short, wide delivery from Morkel and is caught behind by Mark Boucher. Taylor scored 44 and played extremely well considering he’s been out of action for six weeks.

39th over – WICKET – Leg-spinner Tahir makes the breakthrough! Brendon McCullum tries to sweep, but is not to the pitch of the ball, there is turn and a top-edge goes straight up on the leg-side. Tahir runs across and gratefully accepts the catch, sending McCullum on his way for 48. That’s the wicket South Africa really wanted!

37th over – Over-pitched by Tahir and McCullum clips the leg-spinner straight back over his head for four.

31st over – McCullum is intent on attacking leg-spinner Tahir and latches on to a shortish delivery, pulling it powerfully through midwicket for four.

30th over – Taylor, despite not having played cricket for so long, is into his stride, while Steyn appears to be trying too hard. A full delivery from Steyn is driven beautifully through extra cover for four by Taylor.

28th over – Super timing by Taylor as just a controlled push sends the ball racing through mid-on for four off Steyn.

27th over – Morkel tries to fire in the yorker, but it’s a half-volley and McCullum punches the ball superbly straight back down the ground for four.

26th over – Steyn returns but Taylor unleashes a classic cut shot for four.

25th over – Morkel has bowled 36 balls in his off-side channel but now finally strays, McCullum glancing a leg-side delivery away for four.

24th over – Taylor has his first boundary off his 26th delivery via a commanding pull shot through square-leg for four off Philander.

20th over – Philander changes to a middle-stump line and McCullum turns the ball in front of square-leg with great timing for four.

17th over – A great start for South Africa and Morkel after lunch, but it could have been a phenomenal start! WICKET – Martin Guptill is bowled for 16 by the first ball he faces after lunch! Guptill’s footwork is sluggish and he then prods tentatively at a fast, full delivery from Morkel and inside-edges the ball on to his stumps. Morkel could have dismissed both batsmen in the same over as McCullum, still on 18, pushes forward to play the ball through mid-on, but inside-edges the ball on to his pad, from where it scoots low and to the right of Hashim Amla at backward short-leg. Amla gets both hands to the sharp chance, but can’t hang on to the catch.

16th over – Dale Steyn starts the away-swinger a bit straighter, but Martin Guptill ends the session with a super shot, showing the full face of the bat and pushing the ball straight back down the ground for four.

11th over – Brendon McCullum has been through a fascinating contest with Vernon Philander and Steyn, using nimble footwork and sound judgement to survive. Now Morne Morkel offers him some width and McCullum jumps
across to the off-side before cutting meatily for four.

4th over – A probing start by South Africa with the new ball, with a couple of close lbw shouts and several plays-and-misses, and eventually some reward. WICKET – Philander continues in the perfect channel just outside off stump and, with a bit of away-nip, finds the edge of Rob Nicol’s backfoot defensive stroke, leading to a simple catch for Graeme Smith at first slip. The debutant Nicol is out for six.

Useful late-order runs were the award for some decent batting by the tail as South Africa reached 238 all out on the second day of the first test against New Zealand at University Oval in Dunedin on Thursday.

69th over – WICKET – In keeping with the trend of the innings, South Africa waste their last wicket just as the 10th-wicket stand was beginning to frustrate New Zealand. Another friendly half-volley, this time from Doug Bracewell, is flicked through midwicket by Imran Tahir, who gets a comfortable two runs but then decides to try for a crazy third run. Daniel Vettori has loped after the ball, has it in hand, and his reasonable throw back to Bracewell catches Tahir well short of his ground. Tahir is out for 10, leaving Morne Morkel unbeaten on a bright 13 not out.

68th over – Imran Tahir gets in on the fun with a flashing square-cut for four through backward point off Chris Martin.

66th over – Super shot by Morne Morkel as he launches a good-length ball from Martin straight back over mid-on for four.

65th over – Morkel gets his innings going in fine fashion with a well-controlled drive through mid-off for four off Doug Bracewell. WICKET – But the seamer strikes back with the last ball of the over, as Jacques Rudolph lashes out at a widish away-swinger, edging it to point. Rudolph scored 52 off 99 balls, in 162 minutes, a nice display of defiance by the left-hander.

64th over – Vernon Philander had problems dealing with short lifter from Martin at the start of the over, fending the ball away on the off-side with his gloves, so the paceman tries another short ball, but this one doesn’t get up and the all-rounder pulls it for four. It’s the second boundary of the over after Philander edged a delivery between third slip and gully, and the batsman is just yards away from a third four as he cuts viciously at a short-pitched delivery. WICKET – It’s a full-blooded cut, but the delivery does seam back a bit to cramp the shot a touch, but Kane Williamson has nevertheless pulled off a very good catch in the gully, snatching the ball above his head. Philander is out for 22, some useful late runs.

63rd over – South Africa have made a bright start, pushing singles and running well between the wickets. Rudolph reaches his half-century as he tickles Tim Southee to fine leg for a couple of runs, the left-hander having batted for two-and-a-half hours, faced 96 balls and hit five fours.