Rain saved Proteas - Faf
Rain prevented play on the fifth and final day of the third and last Test between New Zealand and the Proteas.
The Proteas were due to resume on 80 for five in their second innings.
They still trailed the Black Caps by 95 runs.
The not out batsmen at the end were Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
The were both undefeated on 15.
Proteas skipper, Du Plessis, feels they were lucky in avoiding defeat in Hamilton.
"I think everyone would say that New Zealand can count themselves very unlucky. The rain came at a terrible time for them. Last night after the day's play there was still quite a bit of belief in our team. We have been in situations like this before and we have overcome them. So we were still very driven and making sure that we that we were prepared for today. However, I think if you look realistically at the odds, New Zealand can count themselves very unlucky. They dominated us in this Test match. They certainly deserved to have a crack at us today. So I think it is fair to say that the rain saved us," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis faced 51 balls in scoring his unbeaten 15. He has revealed a determination to make New Zealand work for his wicket.
"I was extremely motivated when I went out to bat yesterday. I remember saying to JP (Duminy) that I am going to block for two days. You know batting with Quinton (De Kock) you obviously cannot expect him to do exactly the same, because he possibly will get out doing that. He is the type of player who puts pressure on the opposition by scoring runs quickly. I think had New Zealand got a wicket early today, it would have been tough for us to make it. I think with Quinton and I at the crease anything was still possible," Du Plessis added.
Du Plessis feels that the rain had robbed the players and fans of a potentially fascinating final day in Hamilton.
"I think there have been a few 'what ifs' in the series. You know the first Test could have produced a great finish. Today would have been very exciting. It is has basically all come down to a Test match in Wellington, where New Zealand had one bad session, similar to what we had yesterday with the bat. That has determined the outcome of the entire Test series. You get the feeling there could have been more competitive cricket, even after this Test match. For most of the series the contest has been 50-50," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis is not happy with the performance of his specialist batsmen in the series.
"Very disappointed. There was a lack of hundreds and a lack of good starts. We ended up playing with our backs against the wall for most of the time as a batting unit. This is a real concern for me. Our top six needs to be a lot better than they were in New Zealand. I have been saying for a while that we need more consistency from our top seven. This was especially the case yesterday. We had a very soft two hours. I guess there were a few tired bodies, but this can never be an excuse. We need to be really strong in such moments. The series was on the line and we knew yesterday that if we could not give New Zealand anything, that today would be a lot easier to bat. The wicket was still good and you could bat the whole day. So it was extremely disappointing the way yesterday's session went. I think all the dismissals were soft. There was not one of them that resulted from an extraordinary ball. So that is something we will definitely address and take ownership of," Du Plessis concluded.
The 1-0 series win in New Zealand has lifted the Proteas to second behind India in the Test rankings.
Their next Test match will be against England and will start at Lord's in London on 6 July 2017.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
They still trailed the Black Caps by 95 runs.
The not out batsmen at the end were Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
The were both undefeated on 15.
Proteas skipper, Du Plessis, feels they were lucky in avoiding defeat in Hamilton.
"I think everyone would say that New Zealand can count themselves very unlucky. The rain came at a terrible time for them. Last night after the day's play there was still quite a bit of belief in our team. We have been in situations like this before and we have overcome them. So we were still very driven and making sure that we that we were prepared for today. However, I think if you look realistically at the odds, New Zealand can count themselves very unlucky. They dominated us in this Test match. They certainly deserved to have a crack at us today. So I think it is fair to say that the rain saved us," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis faced 51 balls in scoring his unbeaten 15. He has revealed a determination to make New Zealand work for his wicket.
"I was extremely motivated when I went out to bat yesterday. I remember saying to JP (Duminy) that I am going to block for two days. You know batting with Quinton (De Kock) you obviously cannot expect him to do exactly the same, because he possibly will get out doing that. He is the type of player who puts pressure on the opposition by scoring runs quickly. I think had New Zealand got a wicket early today, it would have been tough for us to make it. I think with Quinton and I at the crease anything was still possible," Du Plessis added.
Du Plessis feels that the rain had robbed the players and fans of a potentially fascinating final day in Hamilton.
"I think there have been a few 'what ifs' in the series. You know the first Test could have produced a great finish. Today would have been very exciting. It is has basically all come down to a Test match in Wellington, where New Zealand had one bad session, similar to what we had yesterday with the bat. That has determined the outcome of the entire Test series. You get the feeling there could have been more competitive cricket, even after this Test match. For most of the series the contest has been 50-50," Du Plessis said.
Du Plessis is not happy with the performance of his specialist batsmen in the series.
"Very disappointed. There was a lack of hundreds and a lack of good starts. We ended up playing with our backs against the wall for most of the time as a batting unit. This is a real concern for me. Our top six needs to be a lot better than they were in New Zealand. I have been saying for a while that we need more consistency from our top seven. This was especially the case yesterday. We had a very soft two hours. I guess there were a few tired bodies, but this can never be an excuse. We need to be really strong in such moments. The series was on the line and we knew yesterday that if we could not give New Zealand anything, that today would be a lot easier to bat. The wicket was still good and you could bat the whole day. So it was extremely disappointing the way yesterday's session went. I think all the dismissals were soft. There was not one of them that resulted from an extraordinary ball. So that is something we will definitely address and take ownership of," Du Plessis concluded.
The 1-0 series win in New Zealand has lifted the Proteas to second behind India in the Test rankings.
Their next Test match will be against England and will start at Lord's in London on 6 July 2017.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre