De Villiers stars as South Africa win series

AB DE VILLIERS (pix) hit a rapid 64 which provided the momentum for South Africa to gain a series-clinching 62-run win in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand on Kingsmead yesterday.

The win enabled South Africa to leapfrog New Zealand into third place in the world one-day rankings, behind Australia and India.

It also provided a measure of revenge for their heartbreaking defeat to the Kiwis in the World Cup semifinal earlier this year.

De Villiers hit his runs off 48 balls to enable South Africa to reach 283 for seven on a pitch which offered some assistance to the seam bowlers throughout the match.

New Zealand were bowled out for 221 in reply.

New Zealand lost key batsman Martin Guptill early, caught behind off Dale Steyn, but a partnership of 84 off 118 balls between Tom Latham and captain Kane Williamson kept them in contention.

Both batsmen, however, were dismissed in the space of 15 deliveries.

Williamson was bowled for 39 when he charged down the pitch and missed a straight ball from leg-spinner Imran Tahir. Latham completed his third successive half-century but was run out for 54 by a direct hit from backward square leg by David Miller.

With the required run rate climbing, New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals. Medium-pacer David Wiese took three for 58. – AFP Masters and US Open champion Spieth and two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson.

Dustin Johnson also pulled out of Wednesday’s pro-am, complaining of chest congestion.

He, too, was hoping to tee off today when he is scheduled to play with fellow American Patrick Reed and New Zealand’s Danny Lee. – AFP