Rain has interrupted the first in the three-match one-day series between the Under-19 teams of New Zealand and South Africa at Owen Delany Park, Taupo. The game will be finished tomorrow.

The day's second, and final, rain interruption came with South Africa 76 for one chasing 255 for victory. Over the full course of 50 overs the game would have been evenly poised.

Under the Duckworth/Lewis method, the situation favoured the South Africans in the event of a reduced-overs resumption. Had it been possible to bowl the fifteen overs necessary to get a positive result, South Africa would have needed only 34 to win, providing that they lost no more wickets. In this situation, the New Zealanders were not eager to resume.

Both camps agreed to come back tomorrow to finish the game in progress, rather than attempt to contrive a finish today. Though the playing conditions do not, strictly speaking, allow a reserve day, this is a rare victory for common sense.

South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand in. Apart from the normal wish to bat second on a rainy day, the pitch was a little damp. In the event, it held no dangers. New Zealand's 254 was no more than par for the course.

The visitors gambled by selecting a team with only five bowlers. They got away with the risk. Though three bowlers conceded more than 50, none went for more than 52. Off-spinner Imran Khan was the most economical, with 38 coming from his ten overs.

Three New Zealand batsmen reached the forties, but none made fifty, which tells its own story. The early and later phases of the innings saw New Zealand prosper. In the middle they lost their way somewhat.

After the early loss of Jesse Ryder, Greg Todd and Shanan Stewart put on 77 for the second wicket. Earlier this week New Zealand manager Dayle Hadlee told CricInfo that the best of Stewart had not been seen in the Test series. Today we saw at least a glimpse of the real Stewart. 34 of his 42 runs came in boundaries before he hit an easy catch to mid on.

Perhaps New Zealand were over-confident, and a little greedy at this stage. In-form skipper Brendon McCullum was dropped by Chad Baxter. It was a simple chance that the fielder probably expected to be made to regret in a huge way. However, over-ambitious running led to McCullum's run out, with just eight added to the batsman's total.

With Todd and Ross Taylor soon following, it was left to Rob Nicol and Andrew Ellis to rebuild. They made an excellent job of it, putting on 65 largely by good running and placement of the ball into the gaps.

A nightmare final over from Gerhard de Bruin, from which 20 runs came, took New Zealand past 250. It was a good, but by no means impossible total.

South Africa made a fine start against some indifferent bowling. James Schorn, in particular, was able to score freely on the on side, while six fielders were stationed on the off side.

Cook's dismissal - for 28 with the score on 50 - was self-inflicted. Only he will know why he thought that there was a single when the ball went straight to gully. A direct hit by Luke Woodcock beat him by a couple of metres after Schorn had sent him back.

A brief interruption after 12 overs was followed by a deluge three overs later. Tomorrow's play will be brief, but should be interesting. If South Africa continue to bat well, they will win the game.

© CricInfo