Cricket: Rain lets Black Caps escape with draw

Australia's Glenn McGrath traps New Zealand's Stephen Fleming lbw for 1 on the fifth day of the second cricket test at the Basin Reserve. Picture / Fotopress

Rain saved New Zealand from likely defeat against Australia as the second cricket test ended in a draw on the fifth and final day at the Basin Reserve here today.


Play was halted by rain 15 minutes after the lunch break with New Zealand struggling at 48 for three in their second innings, after being forced to follow on 326 runs behind Australia's first innings.


The weather closed in and showed no sign of clearing, with the umpires abandoning play at 3.30pm (local time).


Just 3.2 overs were bowled after lunch before the southerly rain set in, enough time for Lou Vincent to be bowled by Michael Kasprowicz for 24, the Queenslander's 100th test wicket.


Craig Cumming was not out on 10 with Nathan Astle on four.


Australia take a 1-0 series lead into the third and final test starting in Auckland on Saturday.


Scoreboard:


Australia
First innings 570-8 dec


New Zealand
First innings 244
Second innings
C Cumming not out 10
S Fleming lbw b McGrath 1
H Marshall lbw b McGrath 0
L Vincent b Kasprowicz 24
N Astle not out 4
Extras (3b, 5lb, 1nb) 9
Total (for 3 wkts, 17.2 overs) 48



Fall: 3 (Fleming), 3 (Marshall), 37 (Vincent)


Bowling: G McGrath 6-3-10-2, J Gillespie 5-2-5-0, S Warne 3.2-0-14-0, M Kasprowicz 3-0-11-1 (1nb)


Result: Draw. Australia lead three-match series 1-0


- NZPA