Kiwis still in hunt of win after day four of Dunedin Test against Proteas

Wellington, Mar 10(ANI): New Zealand battled back after the loss of early wickets to reach 132-2 in their second innings, still 264 runs short of victory, with skipper Ross Taylor and Brendon Mc Cullum at the crease at the end of day four of the Dunedin Test.

They have so far added 82 runs in their partnership, with McCullum unbeaten on 58, and Taylor at 48, after New Zealand was given a 401 run target by South Africa.

South Africa had earlier displayed momentum by starting the day's play at 268-3 and gaining a lead of 233 runs, stuff.co.nz reports.

At the time Graeme Smith declared the South African innings at 435-5, Boucher was unbeaten at 34 runs, while Rudolph had smashed his sixth Test century.

There should be 98 overs available tomorrow for New Zealand to reach their target or South Africa to take remaining eight wickets subject to weather conditions.

The weatherman has forecast overnight rain and more in the morning in Dunedin, but predicted a clear sky in the afternoon.

Scoreboard at the end of day four of the Dunedin Test: OUTH AFRICA

First innings 238

Second innings

A N Petersen c T Southee b D Bracewell 25

G Smith b D Bracewell 115

H Amla c M Guptill b D Bracewell 2

J Kallis c R Nicol b T Boult 113

J Rudolph not out 105

AB de Villiers c B McCullum b K Williamson 29

M Boucher not out 34

Extras (B2, Lb6, Wd1, Nb3) 12

Total (5wkts dec, 140.0 overs) 435

FOW: 1-45 (Petersen, 11.2), 2-47 (Amla, 11.6), 3-247 (Smith, 81.1), 4-283 (Kallis, 97.3), 5-353 (de Villiers, 117.2).

Bowling: C Martin 23 overs, 4 maidens, 74 runs, 0 wkts; T Boult 26-4-93-1, D Bracewell 25-3-70-3, T Southee 26-4-100-0, D Vettori 32-5-65-0, R Nicol 1-0-9-0, K Williamson 7-4-16-1.

NEW ZEALAND

Second innings

R. Nicol c Smith b Tahir 19

M. Guptill c de Villiers b Philander 6

B. McCullum not out 58

R. Taylor not out 48

Extras (lb-2, w-2, nb-2) 6

Total (for two wickets, 41 overs) 137

Fall of wickets: 1-16 2-55

Bowling: Steyn 8-2-25-0 (w-1); Philander 12-2-29-1 (nb-2); Morkel 7-2-27-0; Tahir 8-2-33-1; Kallis 6-1-21-0 (w-1) (ANI)