Audacious Andile
OPENER: AB HITS WINNING RUNS WITH ONE BALL LEFT
South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo hits a six in the final over of the first one-day international between the Black Caps and the Proteas at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. yesterday. The 20-year-old joined captain AB de Villiers in guiding the visitors to a tense four-wicket victory to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
De Kock earns the Man-of- the-Match award with fine 69.
Apolished Quinton de Kock half century laid the foundation for South Africa’s four-wicket win over New Zealand in a tense finish to a rain-shortened opening one-day international here yesterday.
In a clash that went down to the wire, it was a Man-of-the-Match performance from De Kock on a wicket that took an exceptional amount of spin in New Zealand conditions.
The departure of De Kock for 69 sparked a middle order collapse as even the New Zealand quicks turned to bowling cutters on the responsive pitch before an AB de Villiers rescue mission saw his side home with a ball to spare.
“We never expected it to turn like that in Hamilton,” captain De Villiers said.
“From past experience this becomes a really good batting track in the evening but that was far from it.”
With the fixture reduced to 34 overs a side following heavy rain early in the day, New Zealand posted 207/7, boosted by a whirlwind 51 off 23 balls at the end by unbeaten pair Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee.
But any thoughts New Zealand had that they were in a strong position were soon dashed by the way De Kock launched into South Africa’s reply.
“At the halfway stage we felt we were right in the game,” captain Kane Williamson said.
“South Africa showed their class with the bat, batted very well and their composure towards the end was very important on a tough surface.”
South Africa went into the final over of their reply requiring 12 to win, and De Villiers ended the game with a four off the fifth ball of Tim Southee’s over.
With De Kock in sublime form, assisted by Hashim Amla, South Africa started their run chase strongly with an 88-run stand.
Williamson used five bowling changes in the first 15 overs in an attempt to break up the pair but only succeeded when he put himself, a part-time spinner, on and had Amla caught and bowled for 35.
Faf du Plessis (14) joined De Kock to get the score to 117 when the South African innings suffered a collapse with five wickets falling in the space of 39 runs.
Trent Boult had De Kock caught in a sharp piece of fielding by Ross Taylor at short midwicket and Tim Southee removed JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardein with consecutive deliveries.
Chris Morris survived the hattrick ball and made 16 before his dismissal had South Africa at 156/6 with 44 balls remaining.
De Villiers, with 37 off 34 balls and Andile Phehulkwayo (29 off 23) combined their efforts to get the tourists home.
Morris (4/62) had left the New Zealand top order in tatters with only Kane Williamson (59) and Dean Brownlie (31) offering any resistance. – AFP