Rain Seals Draw In Taunton Clash

After the start was delayed until 2.15pm, McKenzie top scored with 82 not out to help the visitors extend their second innings total to 245 for four before declaring to leave Somerset an unlikely victory target of 327 in 35 overs. They finished on 109 for three after another short rain break.

Zondeki followed up his five first innings wickets with one for 20 in two impressive spells. For Somerset there was promise for the future in the batting of inexperienced Wes Durston and Carl Gazzard, who finished unbeaten on 30 and 35 respectively.

But it was dismal viewing for a sparse crowd as South Africa captain Graeme Smith declined to set up an exciting finish with an enterprising declaration. He was content to watch McKenzie and Boeta Dippenaar build on an overnight 126 for two against some tame bowling.

Dippenaar, unbeaten on 52 at the start, could add only 16 before pulling Somerset trialist Gary Gilder to deep backward square where Durston took a well judged catch.

McKenzie had looked in excellent form making 66 in the first innings and again produced some well timed strokes to hit 12 fours in his 129-ball innings, never looking in much trouble.

Robin Peterson fell cheaply to Keith Parsons, but Smith, having dropped himself down the order to number six, capitalised on the occasional off-spin of Matt Wood to add 26 not out to his first innings 152.

When Smith finally called a halt the asking rate was 9.6 an over and Somerset made little attempt to chase the target. Zondeki made a breakthrough with the total on 16 when Wood edged an attempted cut to wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile.

Charl Willoughby struck with his first ball of the innings, trapping Parsons lbw for two with an inswinger, and Dewald Pretorius removed fellow countryman James Bryant, who chopped a short ball onto his off stump having made 27.

But, while Willoughby and Pretorius bowled well in patches in the match, Zondeki was the seamer who caught the eye, cutting Bryant in half with one speedy delivery that nipped back and beating him for pace with another beauty.

Durston and Gazzard needed one or two narrow escapes to put together their unbroken stand of 50 for the fourth wicket and by the time Smith declined to use the final half hour most of the spectators had already headed for home.

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