By Clive Ellis at Fenner's
First day of three: British Univ (14-1) trail South Africans (394-1 dec) by 380 runs
THIS would not have been England's chosen plot for South Africa's build-up to next week's third Test - toss won, easy pitch, friendly bowling and little more than an extended net for Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis.
Kirsten, in particular, is too dedicated a cricketer to spurn offerings like these and moved serenely to his third century on this tour, then the fourth double hundred of his career. Kallis passed three figures for the first time on the trip.
Hansie Cronje called off the controlled massacre of the innocents with 45 minutes left and Mark Wagh, the only Oxford representative in the Universities' side, was lbw in the opening over, bowled by Steve Elworthy.
The students included nine players with county affiliations, but they might as well have been club trundlers for all the impact they made as the three South African batsmen cruised to 394.
Inevitably, the only wicket to fall was secured with a run-out - Wagh was the successful fielder - but by then Kirsten and Gerry Liebenberg had added 137 incident-free runs for the first wicket.
Simon Francis, the Hampshire pace bowler, and Northamptonshire slow left-armer Mark Davies, were probably the pick of the students' toothless attack.
The biggest inconvenience to Kirsten was when he finished his lunch to discover that his cap and glove had been removed from outside the pavilion.
Kallis batted like a man scared of failing in such privileged circumstances. He took almost half an hour to advance his lunchtime score of six and rarely allowed flair to rise above circumspection. He drove Davies just over Ed Smith's head at mid-off when he had made 42 and narrowly escaped dismissal on 76 and 77.
Kirsten could have been stumped off Greg Loveridge when he had made 180, but he made few errors. His double hundred came off 319 balls, while Kallis needed 201 balls for his century. Their partnership had yielded 257 when the declaration came.
Day 2: Singh resistance
By Clive Ellis at Fenner's
Second day of three: South Africans (394-1 dec & 130-0) lead British Univs (199) by 325 runs
Anurag Singh's innings of 64 would have been praiseworthy in any circumstances. Given that it was also his first batting excursion in first-class cricket this season, it was an effort which spoke volumes for his talent and adaptability.
Singh has been the victim of the weather and academic distractions he now boasts a 2.1 degree in law - but as long as he puts his legal ambitions on hold, Warwickshire and ultimately England could be the beneficiaries.
Sadly, the Universities had no one else able to resist for long a South African attack lacking the four main components from the side who won the second Test at Lord's, though 46 extras inflated the total to near respectability.
Ed Smith was soon caught at slip off Steve Elworthy, but Singh was quickly into his stride. He reached his fifty off 83 balls and had hit eight fours when he got himself out, pushing at off-spinner Pat Symcox to be caught at backward point.
Symcox, without much spin to assist him, picked up four wickets and Brian McMillan's competitive spirit was only slightly muted by the youthful opposition as he dealt in bouncers and glares.
Hansie Cronje rejected the follow-on in favour of more batting practice. Gerry Liebenberg took 11 off Simon Francis's first three balls at the start of the South African's second innings, but the student bowlers applied more pressure than on the opening day.
Day 3: Some reward for Singh in the rain
By Clive Ellis at Fenner's
S Africans (394-1 dec & 141-0 dec) drew with British Univs (199 and 109-3)
EVEN IN their present state of huge self-belief the task of bowling out the British Universities in 40 overs on a reliable Fenner's pitch was beyond the South Africans.
For a long while it seemed the only action on the last day would be the four overs in the morning that enabled Gerry Liebenberg and Daryll Cullinan to extend their opening stand to 141, but the students were able to begin their second innings at 3.30.
At least Anurag Singh, the Universities' captain, and Will House were grateful for the rain: it gave them the opportunity to attend their degree ceremonies before coming back to bat later in the day. Not so happy was Ed Smith, who had to go to hospital for X-rays after being hit on the index finger of his right hand by pace bowler Steve Elworthy.
Runs made in these conditions need putting in context, but at least Liebenberg's two half-centuries kept him in with a fighting chance of being restored as Gary Kirsten's partner for the third Test next week, should Adam Bacher's bruised shoulder fail to heal in time.
The South Africans, of course, have the versatility in their party to overcome minor hurdles like these. Jacques Kallis, who opened for Middlesex last season, could move up from No 3 and the inclusion of Brian McMillan would not only strengthen the slip fielding but also give Hansie Cronje yet another bowling option.
They have harnessed their resources cunningly and Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, who all missed this game, will be given a light workout in the one-day match against Northamptonshire tomorrow.
Bob Woolmer, the South Africa coach, took particular pleasure in seeing Singh and Mark Wagh in action here. He first saw them as 15-year-olds when he was coach at Warwickshire and they were forging a reputation at King Edward School in Birmingham.
Singh was unable to match his form of the first innings, but the most worrying aspect for Cambridge - with the University Match only five days away - was the sight of Smith retiring hurt.