McKenzie and Duminy punish New Zealand

Rest of South Africa 359 for 3 (Duminy 127*, McKenzie 127*) v New Zealanders
Scorecard

Test veteran Neil McKenzie and promising youngster Jean-Paul Duminy punished the touring New Zealanders in an unbeaten fourth-wicket stand of 248 for the Rest of South Africa on the first day of a four-day match at Willowmoore Park on Friday. The Rest reached 355 for 3 at the close, with both batsmen on 127 not out.

It was hardly the warm-up New Zealand were seeking ahead of a three-Test series against South Africa which starts at Centurion on April 15. But it was the sort of performance pledged by McKenzie, the Rest captain, ahead of the match when he said his players would be seeking to force the national selectors' hands and to get the New Zealanders' tour off to a losing start.

McKenzie, 30, has played in 41 Tests but hasn't been selected for two seasons despite good domestic form in the current season. The left-handed Duminy, a week short of his 22nd birthday, has played in five one-day internationals and is regarded as one of the country's most promising young batsmen.

The Rest took advantage of a slow, flat pitch after McKenzie won the toss and decided to bat. But they had an early setback in the second over when fast bowler Shane Bond bowled Alviro Petersen. Stephen Cook, the son of former Test batsman Jimmy, was run out for 13 when the total was on 42.

Justin Ontong and McKenzie put on 65 for the third wicket before Ontong was out for 61 in the first over after lunch. The rest of the day belonged to McKenzie and Duminy, although both gave chances. McKenzie was dropped on 11 and Duminy on 28. Bond struggled after his early wicket,conceding 51 runs in ten overs, including 22 off one over, including three fours and a six by McKenzie. He also bowled five no-balls and five wides.