A thunderstorm and steady rain held up South Africa's charge to victory on the third day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Friday. Bangladesh was on 67 for three in its follow-on innings, trailing by 221 runs, when play was called off for the day at the scheduled tea break. No play was possible from 26 minutes before lunch. Play on the fourth day on Saturday would start 30 minutes early, at 1000 local time (1100 GMT), officials decided. Bangladesh, who struggled on Thursday, had produced a much stouter batting effort in the morning before lightning stopped play and forced an early lunch. Led by Zunaed Siddique, Bangladesh reduced its deficit to 221 runs after being bowled out for 153 in reply to South Africa's first innings of 441 for nine declared. The 21-year-old left-hander batted for 100 minutes in scoring his 27 and it required the services of fast-medium partnership-breaker Jacques Kallis to remove him, with Siddique edging a cut to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher. Boucher also took the catch to dismiss opener Tamim Iqbal, who edged an ugly cut shot at Makhaya Ntini. Tamim, who made 20, was at the crease for the first 50 minutes of the third morning and he was replaced at the wicket by captain Mohammad Ashraful, who ended the day on seven not out. Mehrab Hossain was with Ashraful and had yet to score. Meanwhile, South Africa spinner Paul Harris is to see a specialist after fracturing his thumb and will take no further part in the first Test against Bangladesh. Kiwis apologize Embarrassed cricket bosses in the southern New Zealand city of Dunedin have apologized for promoting a Test against the West Indies with the slogan, “It's all white here.” The West Indies is due to play a Test against New Zealand in Dunedin next month and the regional Otago Cricket Association came up with the slogan in reference to the color of the players' uniforms. “We just wanted a catchy phrase to help sell the game. It was all based around the association of the color with cricket,” the association's chief executive Ross Dykes was quoted as saying by the Otago Daily Times newspaper Friday. Dykes said he had contacted the West Indies team manager and the West Indies Cricket Board to explain the slogan, adding he would be “mortified” if anyone interpreted it as a racial slur. Australia hits back Australia bundled out New Zealand for 156 on Friday after posting 214 in the first innings on thursday. Powered by unbeaten Simon Katich (67) Australia has reached 131-6 at the close of play on the second play, setting a lead of 189. Scores in brief: Australia 214 and 131-6. New Zealand 156 (Taylor 40 - Johnson 4
