SYDNEY, Dec 21: South African Boeta Dippenaar scored a century against New South Wales on Friday before Michael Bevan replied with an unbeaten 60 to pass 15,000 first-class runs on a rain-interrupted day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Dippenaar blazed his way to 115 to help the Proteas post an imposing first innings total of 498 and boost his chances of staying in the team for next week’s second Test against Australia.

NSW’s reply on the second day of the four-day match was interrupted by a thunderstorm that delayed the scheduled finish by 50 minutes but they managed to reach the close of play in a solid position of 170 for three.

Australian one-day specialist Bevan led the way, following on from his unbeaten double century against Western Australia last weekend.

NSW opener Greg Mail also posted a half-century in a 95-run stand with Bevan only to fall for 54 shortly before stumps as the Blues reached the end, 328 in arrears with seven wickets in hand.

Dippenaar, whose place in the South African side had been under scrutiny after he made four and nought in the 246-run defeat in the opening Test in Adelaide, boosted his claims for a place in the team to play Australia in the second Test starting in Melbourne on Dec 26.

The 24-year-old top-order batsman added 37 runs to his overnight 78 during a 101-run seventh-wicket stand with captain Shaun Pollock that allowed the tourists to reach their daunting total after starting the day on 375 for six.

Pollock made 53 to repair his confidence after twice failing in Adelaide but his innings was overshadowed by the big hitting of Dippenaar, who smashed 23 boundaries, including five in successive balls from Shawn Bradsheet to race from 78 to 98.

NSW in reply, adopted a far more cautious approach, scoring just 67 runs from their first 32 overs.

Pollock made an early breakthrough when he removed Brett Van Deinsen (1) in his second over before Steve Elworthy dismissed Corey Richards for 37 after he and Mail had added 52 for the second wicket.

The match was delayed for almost an hour because of the storm but when play resumed, Bevan and Mail went after the South African bowlers, adding 95 for the third wicket until Elworthy trapped Mail lbw.

Veteran South African fast bowler Allan Donald bowled 12 tight overs, conceding 23 runs, but failed to take a wicket to push his claims for Test selection.

Scoreboard

SOUTH AFRICA (1st innings) (overnight 375-6)