Adrian Seconi

There is a lot to admire about Akeem Wright.

After "19 great years" Otago stalwart Craig Cumming has just eight days remaining of what has been a fabulous career.

Slashing $290,000 from the Otago wage bill is about "sensible" contracting, not firing players, New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol says.

Dunedin's Jo Morrison spent the early part of her career plotting the Silver Ferns' demise.

Consistent - you bet. Otago has managed to string a lot of really bad days together.

There is healthy respect for each other but both sides were also making subtle claims of a moral victory after rain ruined any chance of play on the last day of the test between New Zealand and South Africa in Dunedin.

Ian Taylor has backtracked on a threat to withdraw the Decision Review System (DRS) from the remainder of the New Zealand-South Africa test cricket series, which resumes in Hamilton on Thursday.

Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes had some nerves leading into the test between New Zealand and South Africa.

NewZealand is going to need some history-making heroics if it is going to prevail against South Africa in the first test in Dunedin when the game concludes tomorrow.

South African seamer Vernon Philander enhanced his growing reputation with another big bag of wickets in action on the second day of the test against New Zealand in Dunedin.

New Zealand has a small lead but South Africa probably had the happier dressing room at stumps on day two in Dunedin yesterday.

Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis' 200-run stand for the third wicket has put South Africa in a commanding position against New Zealand at stumps on day three of the test in Dunedin.

Jacques Kallis described it as "ugly cricket". The rest of us mere mortals could only gawk in appreciation as he combined with his captain, Graeme Smith, to put on 200 runs for the third wicket before a crowd of 2200 at the University Oval.

Aleem Dar shook his head in disbelief. The bowler, Doug Bracewell, looked bemused.

We had all heard how good Vernon Philander is and now we have seen for ourselves.

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has had a low-key build up for tomorrow's test against South Africa.

The next month might be a bit like taking a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard for the Black Caps.

The Black Caps must have had an extra sugar in their cup of tea because they certainly played with more energy after the break.