Rain dampens SA victory hopes

The fourth day of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka was rained out at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.

South Africa were due to resume at 47 for one in their second innings, an overall lead of 251.

With two days to go they were in an excellent position to win but with only one day left the prospects of a result have been drastically reduced.

South African captain Shaun Pollock, who became after Allan Donald only the second South African to claim 200 Test wickets during Thursday's play, said at stumps on Thursday that he planned to do Sri Lanka no favours.

"There's no reason to dangle any carrots," he said when discussing a likely target for the tourists.

But at that stage Pollock expected to be bowling again before the close on Friday. Now he will have to rethink his strategy, knowing that a maximum of 105 overs was needed if possible.

Play was twice due to start on Friday when the covers were removed and a time was set. On the second occasion, at 2:00 pm (12h00 GMT), the umpires and the Sri Lankan fielders had already taken the field when rain started again.

Play was finally abandoned at 13h35 GMT when a forecast clearing of the skies during the afternoon failed to materialise.

Match summary:
South Africa 420 (G. Kirsten 180, D. Cullinan 59, L. Klusener 50, R. Fernando 5/98, M. Muralitharan 5/122) and 47/1. Sri Lanka 216 (K. Sangakkara 74, D. Jayawardene 98, S. Pollock 3/40).

Mail Cricket Editor