New Zealand warmed up for Wednesday’s first Test against South Arica with a draw against the South African Invitational team.
At the end of another hot day at Boland Park in Paarl, New Zealand finished on 117 for two in their second innings after the home team declared on 359 for seven at lunch on the third and final day.
The South African Invitational team had the better of the morning session, putting on 85 for the loss of one wicket, with Chris Martin inducing a false stroke from Shaun Liebisch who was caught at point for four.
The New Zealand attack toiled hard on a lifeless pitch with eight bowlers getting through 119 overs across four sessions.
Most of his batsmen have spent valuable time at the crease with Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum scoring half-centuries in the first innings while Martin Guptill remained undefeated on 68 in today’s second effort.
Guptill’s opening partner, McCullum, added 28 today before edging spinner Siya Simetu to first slip while Dean Brownlie, who did not bat in the first innings due to a stomach bug, was trapped in front by seamer Petrus Jeftha for six.
Daniel Flynn was unbeaten on 14 at tea when the captains agreed to call time on the match.
Speaking after the match, Guptill said: “The main thing for us was to get the bowling loads under the belt and for the batsmen to face 50-100 balls.
“It was good to get time on our feet as we prepare to take on South Africa.
“We know it’s going to be a bouncy wicket in Newlands so we have to prepare for that over the next couple of days.”
Day 2: South Africa Invitational team close on 274-6
New Zealand were made to work hard in the field on day two of the three-day warm-up match with the South African Invitational team putting on an excellent opening stand of 161 before a late flurry of wickets left the home team closing on 274 for six.
After declaring overnight on 311 for six, the New Zealand attack maintained good discipline on the flat pitch and lightning-fast outfield at Boland Park, Paarl.
Openers Matthew Kleinveldt and Rassie van der Dussen batted conservatively but accumulated runs and frustrated the visitors.
The partnership was eventually broken in the 54th over by left-arm spinner Bruce Martin who had Kleinveldt stumped for 78.
An excellent final session saw the New Zealand pick up five wickets with Neil Wagner sparking a collapse when he had Ackermann caught at first slip for 15 before Trent Boult collected the big scalp of opener van der Dussen for 76.
Boult then knocked over Pite van Biljon (14) and Bruce Martin had Uwe Birkenstock (1) out LBW while Chris Martin used the second new ball to trap wicket-keeper batsman Bradley Barnes (23).
At stumps Keegan Petersen remained unbeaten on 47 along with Shaun Liebisch on four.
New Zealand 311-6 (P Fulton 39, M Guptill 42, K Williamson 59, B McCullum 65, D Flynn 23, J Franklin 37, B Watling 32*; C Ackermann 3-46) South Africa Invitational team 274-6 (H van der Dussen 76, M Kleinveldt 78, C Ackermann 15, P van Biljon 14, U Birkenstock 1, B Barnes 23, K Petersen 47*; T Boult 2-46, C Martin 1-31, N Wagner 1-49, B Martin 2-66)
Day 1: Batsmen give New Zealand a solid start
New Zealand can feel satisfied with their performance on day one of their three-day warm-up match against a South African Invitational team at Boland Park, Paarl.
Skipper Brendon McCullum made 65 and Kane Williamson hit 59 before the visitors closed on 311 for six from 89.1 overs.
Positive batting from Peter Fulton and Martin Guptill got the side off to a decent start with the pair putting on 80 for the first wicket.
Fulton was caught at cover for 39 and Guptill was held at short mid-wicket for 42 in the space of 11 runs, before Williamson and McCullum came together to add 108 for the third wicket.
South Africa fought back through off-spinner Coin Ackermann who had Williamson caught behind, Daniel Flynn caught at mid-wicket for 23 before trapping McCullum LBW to leave New Zealand on 239 for five.
James Franklin and BJ Watling consolidated with a 72 run partnership for the sixth wicket with Franklin bowled out on 37 in the final over of the day.
Watling remains unbeaten on 32 to put New Zealand in a strong position.
South African spinner Ackermann shone with the ball taking three for 46 off 21 overs.
New Zealand 311-6 (P Fulton 39, M Guptill 42, K Williamson 59, B McCullum 65, D Flynn 23, J Franklin 37, B Watling 32*; C Ackermann 3-46)
