CAPE TOWN, NOV 8: England's four-day match against a Combined Western Province/ Boland XI petered out to a dismal draw at Newlands today with the home side setting an unlikely target and the tourists declining the challenge. Needing to score 250 for victory in a minimum of 47 overs, England finished on 82 for two with captain Nasser Hussain unbeaten on 33 and Michael Vaughan on 16.England's second innings began in dreadful style with a sluggish Michael Atherton responsible for the run out of Mark Butcher (3) who was sent back after virtually completing what should have been a comfortable second run. Atherton (24) was then brilliantly caught at mid-wicket by Rashaad Magiet off a full blooded pull before the match fizzled out and was called off half an hour early. The home side set the tone for a dull day with a pedestrian morning's batting producing just 54 runs before lunch after resuming on 51 for four and with a first innings lead of 109.England travel to Bloemfontein on Tuesday where they will face a Combined Free State/ Griqualand West XI in their next four-day match beginning on Friday. The first Test against South Africa begins on November 25.
