Cricket: South Africa content with Kent draw ahead of first England Test

South Africa’s batsmen had the edge over their bowlers as they completed their preparations for the first Test against England in a routine rain-affected stalemate with Kent at Canterbury.

An uninterrupted final day was not enough to open up the possibility of anything other than a draw as the tourists’ 314 all out gave them a 104-run lead, and then young Kent openers Sam Northeast (54 not out) and Daniel Bell-Drummond (48no) followed their first-innings stand of 81 with an unbroken 105 second time round.

Theirs was undoubtedly the best batting of the match, against a world-class attack – albeit one playing gently on a stodgy pitch, with much bigger assignments in the offing.

Three middle-order half-centuries had ensured South 
Africa’s batsmen will head to The Oval with their confidence intact and crease time under their belts.

None of the top seven was dismissed for single-figures; Hashim Amla (77) and Jacques Kallis (54) both retired after a century stand for the third wicket, and Jacques Rudolph (50) ensured the necessary extra substance.

From an overnight 108 for two, Amla and Kallis were often watchful on a slow surface that still offered an occasional low bounce. Amla managed 50 from 99 balls and Kallis made his half-century with his ninth boundary from 66 balls.

Kent’s turn to bat saw them hold their own against South Africa’s bowlers with Northeast reaching his half-century from 62 balls while Bell-Drummond just failed to make his with the draw confirmed an hour early.