Close New Zealand 243 for 7 (Parore 10*, Vettori 10*) The umpires finally gave up the ghost and declared a draw at Hobart, after persistent rain ruined a good morning's work for Australia. The teams now fly to Perth for the decisive match in the series, beginning on Friday.

11.55am New Zealand 243 for 7 (Parore 10*, Vettori 10*) need 116 to avoid the follow-on: rain stopped play

And once again, just as things were getting interesting, El Nino popped up to spoil the party. Steve Waugh didn't like it one bit, and the Australians hung around the square as the covers were brought on, hoping it was just a passing squall. Daniel Vettori and Adam Parore had no such doubts, and the umpires eventually opted for an early lunch.

The rain left the stage at intervals, returned for several encores, and lunch eventually blurred into tea. An inspection was due at 3.40pm, but the prospects for a restart, let alone a result, looked bleak.

New Zealand's eighth-wicket pair had added 20 runs when the rain came, and one looping leading-edge from Vettori aside, had batted with assurance. Waugh had made a double change just as the rain came. Brett Lee completed his first over of the morning, while Shane Warne had time for just two balls.

11.23am New Zealand 223 for 7 (Parore 0*, Vettori 0*) need 136 to avoid the follow-on

Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath ignited a soggy match by taking two wickets in six balls, to leave New Zealand in a very real danger of following on.

First to fall was Craig McMillan, who died by his own lack of sword. He had displayed excellent judgment against Gillespie, but padded up once too often. Gillespie went wider of the crease, speared in his fastest delivery of the morning (140kph), and nicked the top of off stump (219-6).

Chris Cairns, who had started his innings with some wild and woolly swishes, slapped McGrath through the covers for four, but four balls later, he edged a lifting delivery from McGrath, whose first-ball dismissal of Fleming had added an extra zip to his morning spell. Adam Gilchrist completed a stunning catch in his fingertips as he dived in front of Shane Warne at first slip (223-7).

10.33am New Zealand 201 for 5 (McMillan 51*, Cairns 4*) need 158 to avoid the follow-on

After all the raining and hanging-around yesterday, it was a relief that play could start on time at Hobart. Rain wasn't far away, though - a light drizzle started as early as the third over.

But it was a bright and sunny start for the Australians, anyway, as Glenn McGrath struck with the first ball of the day. Bowling round the wicket, he zeroed one in towards Stephen Fleming, who padded it away. After what seemed an age (actually it was about five seconds), Steve Bucknor raised the fatal finger (197-5). It was McGrath's first wicket of the match – and Fleming has still not scored a century against Australia.

Chris Cairns, the new batsman, clunked his first ball through mid-off for four to bring up New Zealand's 200, but the follow-on is a distinct possibility now. This match mightn't be as cast-iron a draw as most people thought.

Andrew Miller is on the staff of Wisden.com

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