S.Africa set New Zealand 401 runs to win first test

(Reuters) – South Africa set New Zealand an imposing 401 to win the first test when captain Graeme Smith declared their second innings on 435 for five midway through the second session on the fourth day at University Oval in Dunedin yesterday.

Jacques Rudolph

Jacques Rudolph, who had resumed after lunch on 59, raced through to his sixth test century and was on 105 not out, while Mark Boucher was on 34 when the Proteas ended their innings with a lead of 400 runs.

New Zealand will need to surpass not only their highest successful fourth innings score in New Zealand (324-5 against Pakistan in 1994) but also the highest successful run chase in the country. West Indies scored 348 for five to win the test in Auckland in 1969.

Only four other sides have scored more than 400 runs to win a test match when batting fourth.

New Zealand’s highest score batting fourth is the 451 they scored against England at Christchurch in 2002, which was dominated by Nathan Astle’s 222 as he achieved the fastest double century in test cricket off 153 balls.

The visitors had resumed the day on 268 for three with Jacques Kallis on 107, though he added just six more runs to his tally when he tried to loft Trent Boult over mid-wicket only to hit the ball straight to Rob Nicol.

AB de Villiers (29) was the only other wicket to fall brefore lunch, when he tried to accelerate the scoring rate as they approached the break, bottom ending a lofted sweep off part-time spinner Kane Williamson to deep mid-wicket where Brendon McCullum took the catch.

Smith (115) and Kallis had rebuilt the vistors’ innings on the third day with a 200-run partnership.

South Africa need to sweep the series 3-0 to take over the world number one test ranking from England.