Cricket: South Africa content with Kent draw ahead of first England Test
An uninterrupted final day was not enough to open up the possibility of anything other than a draw as the tourists’ 314 all out gave them a 104-run lead, and then young Kent openers Sam Northeast (54 not out) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (48no) followed their first-innings stand of 81 with an unbroken 105 second time round.
Theirs was undoubtedly the best batting of the match, against a world-class attack – albeit one playing gently on a stodgy pitch, with much bigger assignments in the offing.
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Hide AdThree middle-order half-centuries had ensured South Africa’s batsmen will head to The Oval with their confidence intact and crease time under their belts.
None of the top seven was dismissed for single-figures; Hashim Amla (77) and Jacques Kallis (54) both retired after a century stand for the third wicket, and Jacques Rudolph (50) ensured the necessary extra substance.
From an overnight 108 for two, Amla and Kallis were often watchful on a slow surface that still offered an occasional low bounce. Amla managed 50 from 99 balls and Kallis made his half-century with his ninth boundary from 66 balls.
Kent’s turn to bat saw them hold their own against South Africa’s bowlers with Northeast reaching his half-century from 62 balls while Bell-Drummond just failed to make his with the draw confirmed an hour early.