Proteas, Black Caps both fancy their chances in Hamilton Test

Hamilton, Mar.13 (ANI): Both the Proteas and the Black Caps fancy their chances in the second Test to be played in Hamilton.

Neither New Zealand nor South Africa emerged from Dunedin with an advantage in the test series scorecard, and neither party is keen to concede a psychological edge ahead of the second test starting here on Thursday, stuff.co.nz reports.

Rookie Black Caps test wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk said he believed New Zealand still had an opportunity to win the first test in Dunedin before rain ruled out play on the final day on Sunday, while South African quick bowler Vernon Philander thought his side were poised to go one up.

"Going into that last day, I'd say there was really a feeling of excitement. We fought very hard in those first four days and got ourselves into position where we thought that anything could happen on that last day, and there was a feeling of excitement going into it," van Wyk said in Hamilton yesterday.

"We obviously fancied our chances to take the wickets on the last day but rain had the last say, unfortunately. I think the game was evenly poised ... but I think we fancied our chances," Philander said.

Neutral observers would have put the Proteas in the box seat but New Zealand emerged relatively unscathed - bar swing bowler Tim Southee, who has been dropped from the second test squad after going wicketless in Dunedin. (ANI)