BENONI (South Africa), April 12: Justin Ontong's century, the fifth of the match, was the highlight as the Rest of South Africa and New

Zealand battled to a draw on the final day of a four-day match at Willowmoore Park on Monday.Ontong made 144 not out to dominate the Rest's second innings of 270 for eight, an overall lead of 293, on a day during which only 40 overs were bowled because of bad light and drizzle.

The weather caused a late start and finally ended play shortly before tea before New Zealand had a chance to bat a second time.

Ontong, 26, who has played in two Tests for South Africa, prevented the tourists from bowling out the Rest cheaply. His 239-ball innings included 20 fours and he reached his century off 167 deliveries.

Wickets fell steadily at the other end after the Rest resumed at 132 for four, with captain Neil McKenzie out for two when he chipped the fourth ball of the day tamely to mid-on off the bowling of James Franklin.

The main benefit for the New Zealanders on Monday was that left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori bowled a long spell ahead of the Test series, taking three for 77 in 29 overs.

McKenzie, one of two century-makers in the Rest's first innings, said he expected South Africa would have to work hard to beat the tourists in the Test series.

In their only innings, captain Stephen Fleming and wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum made centuries. Fleming will become the first New Zealander to play in 100 Tests when he leads the side at Centurion.

Scoreboard

REST OF SOUTH AFRICA (1st Innings) 395 (N.D. McKenzie 141, J-P Duminy 127, J.L. Ontong 61; J.E.C. Franklin 4-80).

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 372 (S.P. Fleming 118, B.B. McCullum 101, P.G. Fulton 73; M. Zondeki 4-107).

REST OF SOUTH AFRICA (2nd Innings):

S. Cook lbw b Oram 38

A. Petersen lbw b Franklin 5

J.L. Ontong not out 144

D. Jacobs c and b Vettori 22

J-P Duminy c McCullum b Martin 0

N.D. McKenzie c Oram b Franklin 2

T.L. Tsolekile st McCullum b Vettori 13

R.J. Peterson c sub b Styris 24

R. Kleinveldt c Fulton b Vettori 0

M. Zondeki not out 13

EXTRAS (B-2, LB-6, W-1) 9

TOTAL (for eight wkts, 86.2 overs) 270

FALL OF WKTS: 1-11, 2-69, 3-124, 4-125, 5-132, 6-178, 7-233, 8-235.

BOWLING: Martin 17.2-4-71-1; Franklin 16-3-58-2 (1w); Oram 14-4-29-1; Vettori 29-4-77-3; Styris 10-1-27-1.—AFP