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CHENNAI, India -- Neil McKenzie's impressive return to Test cricket continued when he made an unbeaten 155 as South Africa's high-scoring first Test match with India ended in a draw in Chennai.
McKenzie has made an impressive return to Test cricket after his four-year absence.
The Proteas moved to 331 for five in their second innings before the match was halted as a draw.
Few of the bowlers will be anxious for a quick return to the Chidambaram Stadium, which yielded 1498 runs for the loss of 25 wickets in this match.
McKenzie, who was recalled to Test cricket in January after a four-year absence, shared a world record opening stand of 415 with captain Graeme Smith against Bangladesh, making 226.
He scored 94 in the first innings in Chennai when the South Africans made an imposing 540, which was then bettered by the home side, who replied with 627.
McKenzie hit a six and 13 fours in his second knock and shared a second-wicket stand of 157 with Hashim Amla, who followed his first-innings 159 with 81.
Amla was given some assistance by the Indian fielders, who spurned two chances he offered.
When he was 55 he top-edged a sweep off Harbhajan Singh but Shanthakumaran Sreesanth could not hold the ball when running in from deep square-leg.
Amla moved to 72 and then drove seamer Rudra Pratap Singh uppishly but the bowler failed to latch on to a sharp return catch.
Smith said his team would move on to the remaining two Tests in Ahmedabad from April 3 and Kanpur from April 11 with confidence.
"We've got some really good cricket under out belt over the last five days," the South African captain said.
"Our batters had a good Test match. I was also pretty comfortable with the way we bowled even though Virender played a tremendous knock.
"Our bowlers have an immense amount of talent and they are learning to bowl in different conditions around the world.
"There are a lot of positives from this Test match and hopefully if we get into a good position in Ahmedabad, we can be a bit more ruthless."
Indian captain Anil Kumble paid warm tribute to Sehwag who smashed the fastest recorded triple century in history.
"The way Viru batted, he not only batted sessions, he also did most of the scoring," said Kumble.
"The conditions were very tough for the bowlers with the flat wicket and the heat. We expected the wicket to deteriorate and thought there would be a bit more pace but I think the rain in the last week hampered preparations." E-mail to a friend 
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