Cricket: Rain washes out NZ hopes in 4th one-dayer

DURBAN - New Zealand's hopes of a pride-restoring victory in the fourth one day international against South Africa were washed away in a deluge of rain at Kingsmead in Durban with just 20 overs play possible.

South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and, with more than half an eye on the brooding clouds overhead, chose to bat first and his side had reached an acceptable 79-2 in ideal bowling conditions when the umpires decided the rain was too heavy to continue.

Shane Bond relished the bounciest pitch on tour so far and, swinging the ball at great pace, had opener AB de Villiers caught behind in his second over for six to claim the early wicket the tourists needed to apply pressure.

James Franklin looked fortunate to earn an lbw decision against Smith 10 overs later but his overall control suggested he would have had more success even if that delivery would have cleared the stumps.

Jacques Kallis was unbeaten on 24 with Ashwell Prince on 17 in a third wicket stand of 27 which had begun to calm South African nerves when the game ended. Also at end was South Africa's run of 12 consecutive one-day wins although their unbeaten run was extended to 18 courtesy of five washouts and a tie.

One of those washouts came earlier in the year against England at the same ground which has now endured four "no result" washouts in its last six one day internationals.

Afterwards Smith had a simple explanation for the bad luck that ended his team's national record winning streak and denied the teams the chance to continue the sequence of keenly contested matches that preceded this match.

"It's Friday (and) the 13th (match)."

"The wicket had pace, bounce and movement and we would have been happy with a score of around 220 or 230," Smith said. "But there's nothing you can do about the weather."

Stephen Fleming's last chance to gain a consolation victory to add to the Twenty20 win that preceded the series will come in the fifth match, a day game, at Centurion outside Pretoria on Sunday.

- NZPA