New Zealand assess injury list as rain ends closely-fought contest

As forecast the rain swept into Dunedin and washed out what could have been an intriguing final day to the first Test

Taylor's absence an opportunity to apply pressure - du Plessis

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said his team fancied their chances, while Kane Williamson said batting last was not impossible by any means after the final day in Dunedin was washed out

Du Plessis surprised no action taken in Bengaluru DRS-incident

The South Africa captain has admitted to being "surprised" that neither Virat Kohli nor Steven Smith were charged with any breaches of the ICC's code of conduct in the aftermath of the Bengaluru Test

Elgar, du Plessis drive SA on attritional day

South Africa, who could barely push their scoring rate above two-an-over, closed with a lead of 191 and four wickets in hand

Rejuvenated Patel finds his second wind

At 36, the offspinner is enjoying the responsibility of leading New Zealand's spin attack, a proposition he didn't expect three years ago

Teams aim for win but aware of time constraint

South Africa's batting coach Neil Mckenzie wants his team to add another 60-70 runs to set an imposing fourth-innings target for New Zealand but admits there may not be enough time to do so given the weather and the scoring rates in the match

New Zealand's morning madness

Dropped catches and poor use of the DRS set tone for a frustrating day for New Zealand

Lowest scoring rate in 19 years

Another sedate day in Dunedin meant that the scoring rate in the first Test is the slowest in New Zealand in the last 19 years

Honours even after Williamson's hundred

Kane Williamson's 16th Test century headlined New Zealand's reply to South Africa's 308 on a hard-fought third day in Dunedin, which also saw a bizarre stoppage in play due to a fire alarm

Injured Taylor in doubt for rest of South Africa series

New Zealand will wait until the end of the Dunedin Test before making a call on Ross Taylor's availability for the rest of the series

Fire alarm forces stoppage in Dunedin

Play was stopped for 20 minutes in the third session, while players and fans were evacuated while the cause of the alarm was being investigated

South Africa's Dunedin time machine

Two tightly-contested first innings and the threat of rain spoiling the finish: it might ring a bell for a few of the players

Williamson leads strong reply but Taylor injury worries New Zealand

Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten 78 and led New Zealand's strong reply with Jeet Raval after South Africa were all out for 308 on the second day

Jeet and Jeetan show up for Williamson

Jeet Raval and Jeetan Patel performed at junctures that might have had Kane Williamson worried, especially with the loss of Ross Taylor to injury

Langeveldt wants more discipline from South Africa

Charl Langeveldt said South Africa's bowlers have to be "box smart" and more disciplined than they were on the second day in Dunedin

Taylor injury 'doesn't look too good' - Boult

Ross Taylor has suffered a low grade tear of the right calf but will bat if required in the Dunedin Test against South Africa.

Elgar 128* leads South Africa's revival

Dean Elgar's 128* and Faf du Plessis' 52 led South Africa's fightback on the opening day in Dunedin after the New Zealand quicks jolted the visitors early

Elgar embraces a different challenge

The first day in Dunedin was a challenge quite different to any of those Dean Elgar had overcome before. This situation called for a different kind of application: a unique combination of stubbornness and resourcefulness that Elgar embodies

Elgar's productive run, South Africa's crawl

Stats highlights from the first day in Dunedin, where South Africa scored at just 2.54 runs an over - one of the slowest scoring rates on the first day in recent years

Wagner has been able to create chances - Hesson

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said that on a pitch that did not provide a lot of assistance the side needed a bowler who could create opportunities, something Neil Wagner had done consistently

Four six-fors in a Test, and the highest last-wicket stand in ODIs

Also: who missed the largest number of Tests over the course of a career?

'Like gardening on speed'

Bavuma keen to cement SA Test place

Knowing he might be the likely man to make way when AB de Villiers returns to Test cricket, Temba Bavuma is keen to get his form back and his numbers up

NZ, SA brace for contest of craft and class

New Zealand are unbeaten at home this season, but will have their task cut out against a side keen to re-establish their old mantra of 'success without borders'

Morkel's career at make-or-break phase

Faf du Plessis confirmed Morne Morkel will return to South Africa's Test XI after more than a year, banking on his experience to get him through despite lack of match fitness

History against New Zealand despite strong home record

ESPNcricinfo previews the first Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin