CloseIndia 118 for 2 (Das 48, Williams 42) trail South Africa by 216 runs
Scorecard

Rain cut short a spirited Indian fightback on the fourth day of the unofficial Test at Centurion. The rain first forced the players off just after lunch and though they came back out for three overs – time enough for Shaun Pollock to dismiss Shiv Sunder Das – heavy showers and bad light forced the umpires to abandon play for the day just after tea.

Das, composed and unhurried, had held the innings together before lunch but he was undone by low bounce and poor footwork. Pollock tempted him with one pitched up outside off stump and Das obliged with a statuesque drive that cannoned onto the stumps via the inside edge (115 for 2). Moments later, persistent drizzle sent the players scurrying for cover for the last time.

Faced with the daunting task of having to score 334 to make South Africa bat again, India had made a positive start in the morning. The loss of Connor Williams for 42 just before lunch was the only smudge on an otherwise near-perfect session.

The openers got off to a flying start against the new ball. Shiv Sunder Das played a couple of lovely strokes off his pads when Nantie Hayward strayed in line and Williams – who didn't convince in the first innings – cut Pollock past point and then worked one through midwicket off Hayward to get into gear. Pollock apart, the South African bowlers were all over the place, spraying it both sides of the wicket and erring in length.

Though the run rate flagged as the morning wore on, the Indians were seldom troubled. Williams played two superb cover drives off Lance Klusener but was then a victim of his diffident footwork. Coming around the wicket, Klusener angled the ball into the left-handed Williams, who flailed at it without moving his feet and edged low to Jacques Kallis at second slip (92 for 1).

But he and Das were the only wickets to fall on a frustrating day for South Africa. With further showers forecast for tomorrow, India could still save a game that looked hopelessly lost yesterday afternoon.

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