Match State: Match start scheduled for 0800 GMT (10:00 local)
Welcome to Wanderers, as toss is coming up
Fleming calls wrong, South Africa win the toss, and will bat
Crowd mightily pleased as they let out a loud cheer, they obviously
want to see their heroes batting
South Africa have Smith coming in place of injured and out of team
Jonty Rhodes
Smith will play up the order, Dippenaar will be coming further down
For New Zealand, McMillan comes in place of Chris Harris
the umpires and players make their way out to the middle, a good
round of applause for New Zealand, but a huge reception for the
home team's opening batsmen
it'll be Graeme Smith to take first strike to Shane Bond, with
Herschelle Gibbs at the other end
0.1 Bond to Smith, no run, left alone outside off stump, batsman
swaying out of the line of the ball
0.2 Bond to Smith, no run, again, outside off,
0.3 Bond to Smith, wide: no run
0.3 Bond to Smith, (noball) no run, oh boy oh boy! what a start, a
great catch from Astle, but it counts for nothing as Bond
oversteps, short rising ball just outside off stump, tries to cut
and gets a thick outside edge flying to his right at second slip
Astle simply plucked it out of the air as easy as you please, but
it's the crowd who celebrate as Smith has an early let off
0.3 Bond to Smith, no run, fine short rising ball outside off stump,
just manages to stay inside the line of it, through to the keeper
0.4 Bond to Smith, no run, fuller ball moving away just outside off
stump, again leaves alone through to the keeper
0.5 Bond to Smith, no run
0.6 Bond to Smith, FOUR, take that! quick punishment for Bond, Smith
celebrating his second life by hoisting a short rising ball from
outside off stump, smacking it hard over midwicket, pitches in the
deep and trickles over the rope, cracking shot
End of over 1 (6 runs) South Africa 6/0 (RR: 6.00)
SE Bond 1-0-6-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 0* (0b) GC Smith 4* (7b 1x4)
Andre Adams to open the bowling from the Corlett Drive End
1.1 Adams to Gibbs, no run, on target immediately, Gibbs fends away on
the on side
1.2 Adams to Gibbs, no run, left alone outside off, Gibbs dancing
around in his crease, warming up
1.3 Adams to Gibbs, two runs, Vettori chases, Vincent helps out,
1.4 Adams to Gibbs, no run, a corker in reply! fuller ball shaping in
on middle stump in the air, then seams away, Gibbs is squared
right around in defence, and to his credit does well to avoid it
through to the keeper
1.5 Adams to Gibbs, no run, shortish ball outside off stump, happily
lets it go straight through to the keeper
1.6 Adams to Gibbs, no run, similar again, Gibbs is happy to just watch
it through to the keeper untouched
End of over 2 (2 runs) South Africa 8/0 (RR: 4.00)
AR Adams 1-0-2-0 - Corlett Drive End
GC Smith 4* (7b 1x4) HH Gibbs 2* (6b)
2.1 Bond to Smith, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, tapped
down towards point in defence
2.2 Bond to Smith, no run, good fullish ball swinging across the left-
hander to off stump, watchfully defended down towards point again
2.3 Bond to Smith, wide: no run, fullish, wide ball swinging away
further outside off stump, left well alone to the keeper to pick
up the free run
2.3 Bond to Smith, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, stands
tall to stroke it firmly into the deck in defence, played back up
on the off side of the pitch for McMillan to scoot in and field
from the covers
2.4 Bond to Smith, FOUR, shot! fullish ball swinging away outside off
stump, sweetly driven down the ground on the off side, beats the
despairing dive of McMillan to his left, just has enough juice to
roll away to the rope
2.5 Bond to Smith, FOUR, crashed to the boundary behind point
2.6 Bond to Smith, FOUR, three in a row! overpitched outside off stump,
drives straight down the ground on the off side like two balls
prior, only this time McMillan can't even get a dive in, turns to
chase, nay, collect the ball
End of over 3 (13 runs) South Africa 21/0 (RR: 7.00)
SE Bond 2-0-19-0 (2w 1nb) - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 2* (6b) GC Smith 16* (13b 4x4)
a big over early on for South Africa certainly makes things
healthy, Bond off target, perhaps still reflecting on the lost
chance of a wicket in the first over
3.1 Adams to Gibbs, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
watchfully left alone through to the keeper
3.2 Adams to Gibbs, two runs, full outside off stump, strongly square
driven just forward of point, wonderful stroke which had four
written all over it, but for a fantastic diving half-stop by
Vincent to his right from point, changes its course and pace
towards extra cover, Vettori
chases it down as only two runs are available
3.3 Adams to Gibbs, no run, good ball! yorker length ball just a
fraction outside off stump, Gibbs drives at it with zero footwork,
plays and misses, just misses off stump
3.4 Adams to Gibbs, wide: no run, shortish ball straying down the leg
side, Gibbs tries to glance it fine but misses through to the
keeper
3.4 Adams to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball, with some width outside off
stump, certainly tempts a drive but Gibbs is happier to just watch
this one through to the keeper
3.5 Adams to Gibbs, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
nudges it down into the covers in defence
3.6 Adams to Gibbs, no run, oh boy! shortish ball just outside off
stump, Gibbs tries a stand-and-deliver shot, attempting to swing
it away over midwicket across the line, misses out, through to the
keeper, there's a unanimous appeal for caught behind from the
whole New Zealand
End of over 4 (3 runs) South Africa 24/0 (RR: 6.00)
AR Adams 2-0-5-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
GC Smith 16* (13b 4x4) HH Gibbs 4* (12b)
team but umpire Bucknor is unmoved, and the crowd give them a bit
of a razz for their efforts, no noticeable sound on the effects
microphone
Bond is replaced after just two overs, Jacob Oram on at the Golf
Course End
4.1 Oram to Smith, wide: no run, not a good start though, shortish ball
straying down the leg side, Smith fails to flick it fine but gets
a wide call for his efforts, through to the keeper
4.1 Oram to Smith, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease, cramped up a little, bottom edges into
the front pad as he looks to force it on the off side, drops down
in close
4.2 Oram to Smith, no run, good shortish, straight ball, looks to work
it to the leg side but it straightens on him, squared around as a
result and drops it away square on the off side in defence
4.3 Oram to Smith, (noball) one run, oversteps, fullish ball on the
legs, clipped away forward of square leg for an easy run to punish
the bowler a little more, square leg across to field
4.3 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish, widish ball outside off stump,
watchfully lets it go through to the keeper
4.4 Oram to Gibbs, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, pulls hard
but mistimes it, dragging it down wide of mid on, good running to
grab a single with the shot
4.5 Oram to Smith, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease to force it down into the covers
4.6 Oram to Smith, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
strongly punched straight up to mid off from the back foot
End of over 5 (4 runs) South Africa 28/0 (RR: 5.60)
JDP Oram 1-0-4-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 5* (14b) GC Smith 17* (18b 4x4)
5.1 Adams to Gibbs, FOUR, poor short ball straying to leg stump, Gibbs
helps on its way, pulling it nice and fine to the boundary
5.2 Adams to Gibbs, no run, very full outside off stump, leaves alone
through to the keeper, Adams again attempting a yorker but off
line
5.3 Adams to Gibbs, no run, rather full again outside off stump, leaves
well alone through to the keeper again
5.4 Adams to Gibbs, no run, good ball! shortish ball cutting back
sharply off the seam from just outside off stump, cuts Gibbs in
half as he plays a little loosely, very late in defence on that
one, sneaks past the inside edge, over the stumps through to the
keeper
5.5 Adams to Gibbs, one run, yikes! Gibbs living dangerously again,
good fullish ball outside off stump, tries to leave at the last
moment, again late in his decision making, deflects it off the
face back past the stumps towards fine leg, walking the tightrope
and so far surviving
5.6 Adams to Smith, no run, quick and full, swinging in sharply from
middle stump, hurries up Smith nicely, almost overbalances as he's
taken on the pad, drops down in close on the off side
End of over 6 (5 runs) South Africa 33/0 (RR: 5.50)
AR Adams 3-0-10-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 10* (19b 1x4) GC Smith 17* (19b 4x4)
6.1 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leaves it
alone through to the keeper
6.2 Oram to Gibbs, one run, shortish ball seaming in from off stump,
taken high on the leg and drops down in close square on the off
side, good sharp single run with the shot as McMillan races in to
field but misses the attempted flick on to the stumps
6.3 Oram to Smith, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, looks to
force it through the covers but gets a thick outside edge, down
just past backward point, down to the man at wide third man
6.4 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, props
forward, solidly defending down into the covers
6.5 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, props
well forward, quietly defending straight back down the pitch
6.6 Oram to Gibbs, FOUR, shot! full and wide outside off stump,
strongly forced away through cover point, races away to the rope
on this fast outfield, Oram curses himself for a final ball slip-
up to end the over
End of over 7 (6 runs) South Africa 39/0 (RR: 5.57)
JDP Oram 2-0-10-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
GC Smith 18* (20b 4x4) HH Gibbs 15* (24b 2x4)
7.1 Adams to Smith, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, chops
it hard into the ground, bounces up into the gully, Smith looking
rather assured in his strokeplay now
7.2 Adams to Smith, wide: no run, full and well wide outside off stump,
angling further away, doesn't stop Smith having a lash at it
though, swing and a miss through to the keeper, need a 6 foot long
bat to reach those off the middle
7.2 Adams to Smith, no run, shortish, straight ball, Smith plays around
it, taken high on the pad and Adams appeals for lbw all on his
lonesome, is met with disapproval from umpire Bucknor and the
crowd, just pitching outside leg
7.3 Adams to Smith, no run, fullish ball swinging in quickly to the
pads, tries to play it to the leg side but misses out, drops down
in close square on the leg side
7.4 Adams to Smith, FOUR, this time he doesn't! fullish, straight ball
on the legs that doesn't swing as much, finds the middle and then
some, clips it away through the vast open expanses at midwicket,
no need to run for that one, too straight from Adams
7.5 Adams to Smith, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, quietly
defends down in close on the off side of the pitch, Adams charges
up to do his own fielding
7.6 Adams to Smith, no run, full just outside off stump, strongly
drives but plays it straight up to Vettori at widish mid on
End of over 8 (5 runs) South Africa 44/0 (RR: 5.50)
AR Adams 4-0-15-0 (2w) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 15* (24b 2x4) GC Smith 22* (26b 5x4)
8.1 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, has a
weak push at it but is beaten, through to the keeper, a non-
commital stroke from Gibbs which was only ever going to get him in
trouble if he actually made contact
8.2 Oram to Gibbs, no run, shortish ball seaming back in to the right-
hander from just outside off stump this time, surprises the
batsman a touch, climbing on him and gets a little leading edge
off the splice, pops down safely in front of him though
8.3 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, Gibbs
content to leave it alone through to the keeper, so far avoiding
anything full outside off stump that is just a fraction wider in
that channel, not 100% confident early on
8.4 Oram to Gibbs, SIX, but that shot would suggest he might just be
finding his straps! shortish ball outside off stump and at Oram's
pace it just sits up more than from other bowlers, Gibbs eyes it
early and pulls it powerfully over midwicket, mighty blow
8.5 Oram to Gibbs, FOUR, now you can see his confidence stocks are
high, that's a fullish ball outside off stump that he was prepared
to leave repeatedly earlier, but this time plays a glorious square
drive through cover point, 10 off two balls
8.6 Oram to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, firmly
defends up towards mid off
End of over 9 (10 runs) South Africa 54/0 (RR: 6.00)
JDP Oram 3-0-20-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
GC Smith 22* (26b 5x4) HH Gibbs 25* (30b 3x4 1x6)
Bond returns, switching ends from earlier, replacing Adams at the
Corlett Drive End
9.1 Bond to Smith, one run, attempted yorker, swinging across the left-
hander to off stump, but Smith's eye is in and not only does he
squeeze it out comfortably, but he plays it to Vettori's left at
mid on to pick up a single from it
9.2 Bond to Gibbs, FOUR, and another, this one doesn't come out of the
hand right and a low, wide full toss outside off stump is punished
with the greatest of ease, smacked away through extra cover
9.3 Bond to Gibbs, no run, Bond cranks up the speedometer just a little
more in response, good length ball cutting back off the seam,
hurries up Gibbs, taken on the pad as he headed down leg, rebounds
away square on the off side
9.4 Bond to Gibbs, one run, short and rather wide outside off stump,
Gibbs looks to hammer it through the covers but has to settle for
a cue-end shot, off the toe off the bat, deflecting down to a
fairly fine third man for a single
9.5 Bond to Smith, OUT: Bond gains revenge on Smith, belatedly, digs in
a short ball, is rather straight, Smith tries to hoist it over
midwicket but then seems to drag the shot squarer, ends up skying
it a mile in the air over the keeper's head, McCullum races back
South Africa 60/1, Partnership of 60
GC Smith c McCullum b Bond 23 (28b 5x4 0x6)
HH Gibbs 30* (33b 4x4 1x6) SE Bond 2.5-0-25-1 (2w 1nb)
and gloves it very well, not an easy catch to take even with the
gloves on, McCullum always looked safe underneath it, and New
Zealand get a much needed breakthrough after a crashing start by
the home team
interesting move by South Africa, further jiggling up their already
re-jiggled batting order by promoting Nicky Boje to bat at No 3
9.6 Bond to Gibbs, no run, digs in a rather short ball outside off
stump, sways the head back out of the way to leave through to the
keeper
End of over 10 (6 runs) South Africa 60/1 (RR: 6.00)
SE Bond 3-0-25-1 (2w 1nb) - Corlett Drive End
N Boje 0* (0b) HH Gibbs 30* (34b 4x4 1x6)
10.1 Oram to Boje, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump, leans
well forward, sweetly stroking it straight up to mid off in
defence
10.2 Oram to Boje, no run, good length fullish ball outside off stump,
angling across the left-hander, shoulders arms through to the
keeper
10.3 Oram to Boje, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, steers
it straight down to Vincent at point in defence
10.4 Oram to Boje, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
stroked wide of Vettori at mid off, running with the stroke to get
off the mark well, flung at the bowler's end from side on, but
well wide and the batsman is well home
10.5 Oram to Gibbs, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, drives a
little uppishly at it, didn't seem to go quite where he intended
it, through backward point, Cairns around from third man to field
in the deep
10.6 Oram to Gibbs, no run, good fullish ball seaming back slightly in
on off stump, Gibbs pushes half forward, watchfully defending into
the off side
End of over 11 (3 runs) South Africa 63/1 (RR: 5.73)
JDP Oram 4-0-23-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
N Boje 1* (4b) HH Gibbs 32* (36b 4x4 1x6)
11.1 Bond to Boje, legbye: one run, good short ball! Bond digs in a
bouncer, straight at Boje who tries to duck but can't get the head
out of the way, pings off the helmet behind square leg and he gets
a run for his troubles, shaken up as he is
11.2 Bond to Gibbs, no run, good fullish ball just outside off stump,
Gibbs pushes half forward very late, beaten through to the keeper
11.3 Bond to Gibbs, no run, good quick shortish ball angling into the
body, tries to pull but misses, cops it on the body, drops away
square on the off side
11.4 Bond to Gibbs, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump, tucks
it down towards shortish midwicket in defence
11.5 Bond to Gibbs, FOUR, shot! too full outside off stump, drives
strongly through extra cover, gets past the man in at short cover
through the pace of the stroke, races away to the boundary
11.6 Bond to Gibbs, (noball) no run, oversteps, shortish rising ball
outside off stump, Gibbs shapes to cut but then decides to leave
it alone to the keeper
11.6 Bond to Gibbs, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
Gibbs pokes at it but is well beaten through to the keeper as it
just fractionally leaves him off the seam
End of over 12 (6 runs) South Africa 69/1 (RR: 5.75)
SE Bond 4-0-30-1 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
N Boje 1* (5b) HH Gibbs 36* (42b 5x4 1x6)
12.1 Oram to Boje, no run, fair length ball just outside off stump, Boje
stays inside the line to leave it alone to the keeper, taken on
the bounce by McCullum
12.2 Oram to Boje, FOUR, shot! advances to a fair length ball angling
away outside off stump, strikes it well on the up, giving himself
a lot of room by shuffling outside leg stump, lofts it strongly
over extra cover, pitching just a few metres inside the rope
12.3 Oram to Boje, two runs, drops it in a little shorter, this time
Boje pulls, doesn't time it perfectly but still gets it away
through wide midwicket, McMillan runs around from his posting at
deep midwicket to field inside the boundary
12.4 Oram to Boje, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
strokes it down into the covers, poor misfield by Adams diving at
cover, concedes a single as Vettori has to field from mid off
12.5 Oram to Gibbs, no run, tight shortish, straight ball, Gibbs
watchfully defends from the crease, playing it down into the off
side
12.6 Oram to Gibbs, FOUR, oooh! good length ball outside off stump,
Gibbs drives, gets a thick outside edge through vacant second
slip, Cairns slides around to field from third man but after some
tumbling and fumbling, it trickles on to the rope
End of over 13 (11 runs) South Africa 80/1 (RR: 6.15)
JDP Oram 5-0-34-0 (1w 1nb) - Golf Course End
N Boje 8* (9b 1x4) HH Gibbs 40* (44b 6x4 1x6)
New Zealand's fielding and bowling display far less sharp today
than their impeccable effort against the West Indies on Thursday,
already ominous signs as the home side are looking rather sharp
themselves
13.1 Bond to Boje, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked away down to
midwicket in defence
13.2 Bond to Boje, no run, digs in a short rising ball outside off
stump, Boje slashes at it, trying to uppercut but misses, through
to the keeper, umpire Bucknor signals that's Bond's one bouncer
for the over
13.3 Bond to Boje, no run, fullish ball swinging in from off stump,
almost sneaks through Boje's defences, just squeezes it out
towards point
13.4 Bond to Boje, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump, jumps
back on the crease, forcing it down into the covers, a fine diving
save by Astle to his left there prevents any run
13.5 Bond to Boje, FOUR, too short outside off stump, Boje does what a
pinch-hitter does best, freeing his arms and uses the bounce and
pace to lift it over point's head, picked off to perfection
13.6 Bond to Boje, no run, full and swinging into the legs down the leg
side, taken on the pad and rebounds away towards point
End of over 14 (4 runs) South Africa 84/1 (RR: 6.00)
SE Bond 5-0-34-1 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 40* (44b 6x4 1x6) N Boje 12* (15b 2x4)
Adams returns, replacing Oram at the Golf Course End, Fleming
juggling his opening three bowlers around in search for the right
combination, not a lot working so far
14.1 Adams to Gibbs, FOUR, oh boy oh boy! it's all going South Africa's
way early on, good fullish ball on off stump, Gibbs tentatively
pushes at it, gets a thick inside edge into the back leg and
deflects just past leg stump, down to the fine boundary
14.2 Adams to Gibbs, FOUR, and Gibbs adds insult to injury, Adams lets
his frustration get on top of him by bowling a short ball which
just sits up down the leg side, with the fine leg up, and Gibbs
swings it away through backward square leg with ease
14.3 Adams to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball wider outside off stump, left
well alone through to the keeper
14.4 Adams to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball a bit straighter just outside
off stump, leans forward but again leaves alone through to the
keeper
14.5 Adams to Gibbs, no run, good fullish ball just coming back in late
from outside off stump, Gibbs leans well forward and leaves alone
again, doesn't miss off stump by much as it passes through to the
keeper
14.6 Adams to Gibbs, no run, good length ball outside off stump, props
forward in defence again, just beats the probing outside edge
through to the keeper
End of over 15 (8 runs) South Africa 92/1 (RR: 6.13)
AR Adams 5-0-23-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
N Boje 12* (15b 2x4) HH Gibbs 48* (50b 8x4 1x6)
another bowling change for New Zealand, with Scott Styris on for
Bond at the Corlett Drive End as the fielding restrictions coming
off
15.1 Styris to Boje, no run, Boje doesn't need a sighter it seems,
shortish, straight ball, tries to pull from the crease but inside
edges into the top of his leg, ball just drops down wide of leg
stump, McCullum tidies up, standing up to the stumps
15.2 Styris to Boje, one run, full and straight, driven straight down to
Bond fielding down at long off
15.3 Styris to Gibbs, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, steers a
thick outside edge down fine, third man slides around to field
inside the rope, Gibbs returns for the second to bring up a 51-
ball 50, 8x4, 1x6, not his best one by his own admissions
probably, but you take them
any way they come! some fine strokes mixed in with some uncertain
moments
15.4 Styris to Gibbs, no run, good shortish ball climbing on off stump,
Gibbs plays inside it, beaten through to the keeper who juggles
the take standing up
15.5 Styris to Gibbs, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
watchfully defends from the crease, nudges it away towards point
15.6 Styris to Gibbs, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, sweetly
stroked out through the covers, quickly back for a smart second as
the relay throw comes in and is unable to prevent it
End of over 16 (5 runs) South Africa 97/1 (RR: 6.06)
SB Styris 1-0-5-0 - Corlett Drive End
N Boje 13* (17b 2x4) HH Gibbs 52* (54b 8x4 1x6)
time for a drinks break as South Africa enjoy a very healthy
beginning in wonderful batting conditions
Match State: Drinks
16.1 Adams to Boje, no run, fullish ball just outside off stump,
shuffles across to it before choosing to leave alone to the keeper
16.2 Adams to Boje, no run, tight fullish, straight ball on off stump,
defends watchfully with a straight bat back on the leg side of the
pitch
16.3 Adams to Boje, FOUR, a bit too full outside off stump, neatly
caressed through extra cover, somehow bisects two fielders there
with rather leaden-footed efforts and beats two chasers to the
rope to bring up the South African 100
16.4 Adams to Boje, no run, shortish ball angling away outside off
stump, slashes and misses, through to the keeper
16.5 Adams to Boje, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, sweetly stroking it into the covers
16.6 Adams to Boje, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off stump,
tries to cut but is a little cramped, forces it hard into the
ground towards point
End of over 17 (4 runs) South Africa 101/1 (RR: 5.94)
AR Adams 6-0-27-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 52* (54b 8x4 1x6) N Boje 17* (23b 3x4)
17.1 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball swinging into the legs, tries
to clip it away but misses, drops down in close on the leg side of
the pitch from the pads
17.2 Styris to Gibbs, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
wonderfully well pulled down through midwicket, but there is a
sweeper out there so only nets him a single run
17.3 Styris to Boje, no run, tight good length ball on off stump,
watchfully defends back to the bowler
17.4 Styris to Boje, no run, fullish ball on off stump, firmly stroked
down into the covers
17.5 Styris to Boje, one run, shorter ball just outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease and neatly punches it out to the cover
sweeper
17.6 Styris to Gibbs, one run, slower ball that is easily telegraphed to
the batsman, off spinner turning well down the leg side, worked
off the legs out to the midwicket sweeper
End of over 18 (3 runs) South Africa 104/1 (RR: 5.78)
SB Styris 2-0-8-0 - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 54* (57b 8x4 1x6) N Boje 18* (26b 3x4)
time for some spin, Daniel Vettori is introduced at the Golf Course
End, replacing Adams
18.1 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly stroked down towards wide long off, Gibbs looks for a
second but Astle gets the ball back in smartly and Boje says no
18.2 Vettori to Boje, FOUR, shot! flighted up outside off stump, dances
down the track and picks it up as a half volley, smashing it away
over extra cover, plundered well and truly, puts early pressure on
teh new bowler
18.3 Vettori to Boje, no run, flatter ball turning in from off stump,
turned away towards midwicket, a fine diving save made by Vincent
stops the batsmen in their tracks, Boje having to dash back to the
keeper's end as a throw comes in but well wide
18.4 Vettori to Boje, one run, flighted up full and straight, swept out
towards deep square leg, brings up the 50 partnership to a nice
round of applause
18.5 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, Gibbs toys with Vettori, flighted up
full just outside off stump, whips out the predetermined paddle
stroke, lapping it down to fine leg
18.6 Vettori to Boje, two runs, short ball turning in from outside off
stump, Boje plays a deliberate cross-batted paddle towards
midwicket, steering it to a half gap for a quick run, but it's
pounced on by Vincent, hurries up Boje as he fires to the bowler's
end, Vettori tries to
End of over 19 (9 runs) South Africa 113/1 (RR: 5.95)
DL Vettori 1-0-9-0 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 56* (59b 8x4 1x6) N Boje 25* (30b 4x4)
drag it on to the stumps but misses and it rolls away into space,
conceding an extra run, nothing whatsoever going New Zealand's way
in the field
19.1 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish, straight ball, turned away
towards midwicket in defence
19.2 Styris to Gibbs, no run, full outside off stump, firmly driven up
towards wide mid off, Fleming darts across to field to his left
19.3 Styris to Gibbs, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked off the
hip straight to shortish midwicket in defence
19.4 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, easing it away towards point, they look for a quick
single but the fielder at backward point is across smartly to it
to stop them from following through
19.5 Styris to Gibbs, FOUR, Gibbs lives dangerously, whipping out
another predetermined paddle shot, fullish ball on off stump,
flicks it deftly fine off the legs, appeal for lbw but it
definitely took glove/bat first, down to the fine boundary and
that's 4000 ODI runs for Gibbs
19.6 Styris to Gibbs, one run, short and wide outside off stump,
forcefully cut out to the deep cover sweeper to retain the strike
End of over 20 (5 runs) South Africa 118/1 (RR: 5.90)
SB Styris 3-0-13-0 - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 61* (65b 9x4 1x6) N Boje 25* (30b 4x4)
20.1 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, flighted up well outside off stump, Gibbs
has to wait on it, tries to force it through the covers but
mistimes it straight into the ground, played to Vincent there
20.2 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up just outside off stump,
Gibbs backs away outside leg stump to give himself room playing an
inventive forcing shot through point, out to Cairns in the deep
20.3 Vettori to Boje, one run, flighted up full and straight, driven
straight back down the pitch, just past Vettori diving to his
left, down to Astle at straight long on
20.4 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, flighted up outside off stump, punched
hard into the ground, played straight to Vincent at cover
20.5 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, nice arm ball angling back in to the
right-hander, has to watchfully play it back down the track to the
bowler in defence
20.6 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, flighted up well outside off stump, leans
well forward but watches it turn away through to the keeper with
the bat held back well out of the way
End of over 21 (2 runs) South Africa 120/1 (RR: 5.71)
DL Vettori 2-0-11-0 - Golf Course End
N Boje 26* (31b 4x4) HH Gibbs 62* (70b 9x4 1x6)
21.1 Styris to Boje, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
stands tall on the crease, powerfully punching it through wide mid
off, just beating the diving extra cover man, down to wide long
off
21.2 Styris to Gibbs, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, props
well forward, solidly defending down in close on the off side
21.3 Styris to Gibbs, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off stump,
steers it down towards point in defence
21.4 Styris to Gibbs, one run, very full on the toes, squeezes it away
to the right of Adams sliding across to stop it at midwicket
21.5 Styris to Boje, no run, slower ball, an off spinner, turning to off
stump, props forward, defending down into the covers
21.6 Styris to Boje, one run, rolls the fingers over another one, much
fuller and is firmly driven straight down to long off
End of over 22 (3 runs) South Africa 123/1 (RR: 5.59)
SB Styris 4-0-16-0 - Corlett Drive End
N Boje 28* (34b 4x4) HH Gibbs 63* (73b 9x4 1x6)
things just easing up at the moment, but there's no real sense of
pressure being exerted by the bowling side, it feels much more
like the batsmen pacing themselves, knowing they can launch at any
time
22.1 Vettori to Boje, one run, flat ball outside off stump, forced away
out towards deep point
22.2 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, smartly pushed through outside off stump,
gets some extra bounce, hurried it through as Gibbs shaped to
advance, is beaten by it as McCullum juggles the take
22.3 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, flighted up outside off stump, comes down
to it but is forced to defend, easing it up to mid off
22.4 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, well flighted outside off stump, nudges
it away straight to the point fielder
22.5 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up fuller on off stump, laps it
away down to fine leg
22.6 Vettori to Boje, no run, flat ball turning in from outside off
stump, back cuts firmly but straight to the man posted at short
third man
End of over 23 (2 runs) South Africa 125/1 (RR: 5.43)
DL Vettori 3-0-13-0 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 64* (77b 9x4 1x6) N Boje 29* (36b 4x4)
23.1 Styris to Gibbs, legbye: one run, full ball swinging into the pads,
tries to whip it away square but misses, rebounds away into a gap
towards square leg for a single in any case
23.2 Styris to Boje, OUT: fine bowling! Styris sneaks one straight
through Boje, on a good length, straightening off the seam, Boje
was well forward looking to drive but plays down the wrong line as
a result, through the gate and is clean bowled
South Africa 126/2, Partnership of 66
N Boje b Styris 29 (37b 4x4 0x6)
HH Gibbs 64* (78b 9x4 1x6) SB Styris 4.2-0-16-1
Boje's pinch-hitting job is a partial success, but with the runs
drying up to the occasional single, he tried to force the pace and
was found out
New Zealand just clawing their way back into things ever so
slightly, but there's still a powerful batting line-up to come for
South Africa
the first of which is Jacques Kallis
23.3 Styris to Kallis, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
driven straight up to mid off
23.4 Styris to Kallis, no run, good shortish ball just outside off
stump, steers it down to backward point in defence
23.5 Styris to Kallis, one run, shortish, straight ball, just drifting
on leg stump, clipped away out to deep square leg to get off the
mark
23.6 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans well
forward, easing it away towards point in defence
End of over 24 (2 runs) South Africa 127/2 (RR: 5.29)
SB Styris 5-0-17-1 - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 1* (3b) HH Gibbs 64* (79b 9x4 1x6)
24.1 Vettori to Kallis, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven through the covers, just evading the diving Vincent,
out to the sweeper Cairns
24.2 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, oooh! flighted up full on the legs,
turned away through backward square leg, Gibbs is looking for a
second but there's indecision and Kallis is sent back just before
it's too late
24.3 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, drops
it down in close square on the off side in defence
24.4 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
firmly driven into the covers
24.5 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flighted up full outside off stump,
sweetly driven into the covers and is again fielded by Vincent
tumbling across to his left this time
24.6 Vettori to Kallis, one run, flighted up full and straight, driven
straight down to McMillan at straight long on
End of over 25 (3 runs) South Africa 130/2 (RR: 5.20)
DL Vettori 4-0-16-0 - Golf Course End
JH Kallis 3* (8b) HH Gibbs 65* (80b 9x4 1x6)
25.1 Styris to Kallis, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
driven into the covers, tumbling save made there
25.2 Styris to Kallis, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, nudges
it down towards point in defence
25.3 Styris to Kallis, no run, Kallis advances down the track but Styris
spots it, digging it in shorter, cramps Kallis up and is forced to
tuck it down in close on the leg side, Styris quickly across to
field himself and prevent any thoughts of a cheeky single
25.4 Styris to Kallis, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off stump,
stands tall on the crease, stroking it straight down to cover,
Kallis not keen to advance with wicket-keeper McCullum back up to
the stumps now
25.5 Styris to Kallis, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
square driven through backward point, just past a diving infield
attempt, down to wide third man
25.6 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
drives back on the off side of the pitch, Styris grabs it smartly
to his left to field on his follow through
End of over 26 (1 run) South Africa 131/2 (RR: 5.04)
SB Styris 6-0-18-1 - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 4* (13b) HH Gibbs 65* (81b 9x4 1x6)
another tight over sees the run rate hauled back from over six to
just over five now, it will be interesting to see who cracks first
soon
26.1 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
tries to forcefully square drive but plays it straight to point
26.2 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flighted up nicely outside off stump,
firmly stroked straight to extra cover
26.3 Vettori to Kallis, no run, quicker, fuller ball drifting into the
legs, driven strongly back on the leg side of the pitch, Vettori
dives across to field himself
26.4 Vettori to Kallis, no run, nicely flighted on off stump, Kallis
watchfully drops it down in close on the leg side
26.5 Vettori to Kallis, one run, flighted up full and straight, paddles
it down to fine leg for an easy single, Gibbs though has been
starved of strike and again only gets to face the last ball of the
over
26.6 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, good quicker, shorter ball angling in to
the body as Gibbs shuffles well outside leg stump trying to invent
something, misses it and McCullum juggles the take
End of over 27 (1 run) South Africa 132/2 (RR: 4.89)
DL Vettori 5-0-17-0 - Golf Course End
JH Kallis 5* (18b) HH Gibbs 65* (82b 9x4 1x6)
just 14 runs for the loss of one wicket coming in the last 7 overs,
the crowd are getting restless
27.1 Styris to Kallis, one run, shortish, straight ball, worked off the
hip through wide midwicket, they look for a second but Cairns is
in to it from the deep smartly and fires a powerful throw back to
the bowler to keep them at home
27.2 Styris to Gibbs, no run, Gibbs trying to get a bit too cute in a
touch of desperation, good length ball outside off stump, kneels
and tries to paddle it a long way around the corner, is beaten by
the bounce, through to the keeper
27.3 Styris to Gibbs, no run, slower, fullish, straight ball, watchfully
defends straight back to the bowler
27.4 Styris to Gibbs, no run, Gibbs really showing his frustration now!
shortish ball coming back into him from off stump, goes down on
bended knee trying to smack it across the line over midwicket,
misses and cops it on the body, drops at his feet
27.5 Styris to Gibbs, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, leans
forward, nudging it just forward of point, looking for a quick run
but it's not on, New Zealand have really picked up their game in
the field as they sniff a chance to put some serious pressure on
the batsmen
27.6 Styris to Gibbs, FOUR, a much welcome reliever for South Africa!
full and straight, Gibbs reels out a good paddle shot this time,
deflecting it very fine down the leg side and it races away to the
rope
End of over 28 (5 runs) South Africa 137/2 (RR: 4.89)
SB Styris 7-0-23-1 - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 6* (19b) HH Gibbs 69* (87b 10x4 1x6)
28.1 Vettori to Kallis, one run, flighted up full and straight, drives
nicely straight down to Astle at long off
28.2 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, flighted up full and straight, turned off
the toes straight to short midwicket
28.3 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, advances to a well flighted ball,
powerfully drives into the covers, Vincent does well to dive to
his right, slowing its pace down dramatically, but not completely,
down to Astle at long off
28.4 Vettori to Kallis, SIX, shot! Kallis hits out and does it very
well, advancing to a flighted ball on off stump, freeing the arms
by standing outside leg, flat bats it over extra cover, fine
stroke
28.5 Vettori to Kallis, one run, flighted up fuller outside off stump,
driven straight out to the cover sweeper
28.6 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full and straight, lapped
down to fine leg from a line of off stump
End of over 29 (10 runs) South Africa 147/2 (RR: 5.07)
DL Vettori 6-0-27-0 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 71* (90b 10x4 1x6) JH Kallis 14* (22b 1x6)
15 from the last 2 overs after fewer runs than that came off the
preceding 7 overs, the home crowd just starting to get a little
more enthused by this effort
as a result Bond is brought back, replacing Styris at the Corlett
Drive End, New Zealand captain Fleming looking for another
breakthrough before this pair get away on them again well and
truly
29.1 Bond to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball with some width outside off
stump, tries to smack it through the covers but plays a bit too
soon, dragging a bottom edge back down the pitch to the bowler
29.2 Bond to Gibbs, one run, short and wide outside off stump,
powerfully smashed away but straight out to the cover sweeper so
gets minimal value for a cracking stroke
29.3 Bond to Kallis, one run, full outside off stump, sweetly driven
through the covers, Vettori smartly around in the deep to field
29.4 Bond to Gibbs, one run, Bond struggling with his line, again well
outside off stump, cut forcefully straight out to Vettori at deep
cover to bring up the South African 150 off 181 balls
29.5 Bond to Kallis, no run, low full toss on off stump, strongly driven
straight back down the pitch, Bond fields smartly on his follow
through
29.6 Bond to Kallis, no run, good slower ball! floated up outside off
stump, Kallis looks to drive but is left reaching for it, pokes it
in the air but wide of the bowler, and falls well short of mid
off, much to Bond's frustration
End of over 30 (3 runs) South Africa 150/2 (RR: 5.00)
SE Bond 6-0-37-1 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 73* (93b 10x4 1x6) JH Kallis 15* (25b 1x6)
30.1 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up on middle stump, Gibbs backs
away well outside leg stump to free the arms, pushing it away out
to the cover sweeper
30.2 Vettori to Kallis, one run, quicker, flatter ball on off stump,
firmly stroked just forward of point, sloppy fielding by Styris
there, concedes a single as his lazy attempt sees the ball sneak
past him as the batsmen watched and waited
30.3 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven straight down to Astle at long off
30.4 Vettori to Kallis, one run, simialar again, this time drives out
through extra cover, to Cairns coming around in the deep to field,
slight fumble but doesn't cost any extra runs
30.5 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up a bit straight on leg stump,
glanced quite fine, looking for a second but it's smartly fielded
and they don't try and take on the return throw
30.6 Vettori to Kallis, no run, flat ball drifting into the legs as
Kallis gets inside it, forcing it back on the leg side of the
pitch, Vettori darts across to field himself to his right
End of over 31 (5 runs) South Africa 155/2 (RR: 5.00)
DL Vettori 7-0-32-0 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 76* (96b 10x4 1x6) JH Kallis 17* (28b 1x6)
31.1 Bond to Gibbs, FOUR, fullish ball with some width outside off
stump, Gibbs chases after it, getting a streaky thick outside edge
very fine, no slips in place at all, and runs fine of the third
man fielder to the rope, Bond much annoyed yet again
31.2 Bond to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
nudged straight to point
31.3 Bond to Gibbs, one run, shortish lifting ball on off stump, nudges
it down into a gap in the covers for an easy single with teh
stroke
31.4 Bond to Kallis, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steered off a thick outside edge down to third man
31.5 Bond to Gibbs, no run, oooh! good length ball just outside off
stump, a slower delivery that deceives Gibbs once again, tries to
run it down to third man, gets a thin outside edge but it drops
just short of the keeper due to the lack of pace
31.6 Bond to Gibbs, no run, and another slower ball, fullish outside off
stump, tries to crack it through the covers but mistimes it
completely, straight to the cover fielder
End of over 32 (6 runs) South Africa 161/2 (RR: 5.03)
SE Bond 7-0-43-1 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 18* (29b 1x6) HH Gibbs 81* (101b 11x4 1x6)
Nathan Astle on to bowl, replacing Vettori at the Golf Course End
32.1 Astle to Kallis, no run, shortish ball seaming into Kallis, taken
high on the pad as he looks to whip it through the leg side,
rebounds away to point
32.2 Astle to Kallis, one run, shortish ball on off stump, pulled away
out to the deep midwicket sweeper
32.3 Astle to Gibbs, no run, tight good length ball just outside off
stump, props forward, defending quietly in close on the off side
32.4 Astle to Gibbs, two runs, Gibbs plays his favoured paddle shot
again, does it well too, fullish ball on off stump, turns it away
quite fine, Bond fires it back but it's rather wide as Gibbs
hurries back for a well taken second
32.5 Astle to Gibbs, one run, slower ball on off stump, reaches forward
for it, misplaying it from an inside edge, but gets it straight
back past the bowler to his right, down towards long on
32.6 Astle to Kallis, no run, shot, and fielding! fullish ball outside
off stump, powerfully driven into the covers, but Vincent pounces
on it, diving to his left on the circle edge to stop it cleanly at
extra cover
End of over 33 (4 runs) South Africa 165/2 (RR: 5.00)
NJ Astle 1-0-4-0 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 84* (104b 11x4 1x6) JH Kallis 19* (32b 1x6)
33.1 Bond to Gibbs, FOUR, shot! fullish, straight ball, Gibbs uses his
feet nicely, chipping it away over wide midwicket, perfect
placement and the midwicket sweeper has no chance at cutting that
one off
33.2 Bond to Gibbs, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
straight out to deep cover point
33.3 Bond to Kallis, one run, shortish lifting straight ball, drops it
down in close square on the leg side, smart quick single run as
the keeper has to race up and field himself
33.4 Bond to Gibbs, one run, full outside off stump, powerfully driven
straight out to Vettori at deep cover, into the nervous nineties
for Gibbs
33.5 Bond to Kallis, one run, slower, fullish ball on off stump, turns
it away towards vacant midwicket, very easy single on offer as
there's a big gap left there inside the circle, two fielders
converge on it from various directions
33.6 Bond to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, reaches out
to it, firmly pushing it up to mid off, somewhat mistiming it
End of over 34 (8 runs) South Africa 173/2 (RR: 5.09)
SE Bond 8-0-51-1 (2w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 21* (34b 1x6) HH Gibbs 90* (108b 12x4 1x6)
time for a drinks break on a very sunny day, things just brewing
for an exciting final stanza to this South African innings, you
can just sense something is going to give very soon!
Match State: Drinks
34.1 Astle to Kallis, no run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
into the covers, but again Vincent pounces on it smartly on the
circle edge
34.2 Astle to Kallis, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, nudges
it down just forward of point, time for an easy single as Styris
is across from behind square to field
34.3 Astle to Gibbs, one run, low full toss on off stump, comes forward,
driving firmly straight down to McMillan at long on
34.4 Astle to Kallis, one run, fullish ball on off stump, nudges it down
in close on the off side, tight quick single taken with the shot,
Vincent dives in but fails to pick up cleanly in an attempted
scoop throw to the stumps, brings up a 50 partnership, the third
in a row
34.5 Astle to Gibbs, one run, fair length ball on off stump, paddled
away down to fine leg
34.6 Astle to Kallis, one run, full outside off stump, firmly driven
straight down to long off
End of over 35 (5 runs) South Africa 178/2 (RR: 5.09)
NJ Astle 2-0-9-0 - Golf Course End
JH Kallis 24* (38b 1x6) HH Gibbs 92* (110b 12x4 1x6)
Styris returns, replacing Bond at the Corlett Drive End
35.1 Styris to Kallis, one run, fullish, wide ball outside off stump,
smacked away out to the cover sweeper
35.2 Styris to Gibbs, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, dabs it
down backward of point, Vincent slides after it, fumbles it and it
rolls away from him, but the batsmen are unaware and are unable to
capitalise
35.3 Styris to Kallis, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
square driven backward of point, past the diving Vincent down to
wide third man
35.4 Styris to Gibbs, FOUR, very poor ball, full and down the leg side,
Gibbs picks it off with the greatest of ease, down to the backward
square leg boundary, three away from a century now
35.5 Styris to Gibbs, no run, slower, fullish, straight ball, watchfully
forward, turning it away to midwicket
35.6 Styris to Gibbs, no run, Gibbs looks for his favourite paddle shot
again but Styris seems to sense the batsman will attempt it and
digs in a smarter, quick shorter ball outside off stump, Gibbs
flinches as he tries to readjust the stroke but is beaten,
McCullum drops the take
End of over 36 (7 runs) South Africa 185/2 (RR: 5.14)
SB Styris 8-0-30-1 - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 26* (40b 1x6) HH Gibbs 97* (114b 13x4 1x6)
standing up to the stumps
36.1 Astle to Kallis, FOUR, tight shortish ball on off stump, Kallis
drives and gets a streaky outside edge, runs very fine and third
man has no hope of cutting it off
36.2 Astle to Kallis, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, driven
straight down to long off
36.3 Astle to Gibbs, one run, floated full toss on the legs, clipped
away out to the midwicket sweeper
36.4 Astle to Kallis, one run, full and straight, firmly driven straight
down to long on
36.5 Astle to Gibbs, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
pushed back on the off side of the pitch, Astle across to field
himself
36.6 Astle to Gibbs, no run, great fielding! full outside off stump,
very nicely drives through extra cover, but Vincent dives to his
left to stop it on the circle edge, the crowd thought that was his
century there, but the batsmen have to stay at home
End of over 37 (7 runs) South Africa 192/2 (RR: 5.19)
NJ Astle 3-0-16-0 - Golf Course End
JH Kallis 32* (43b 1x4 1x6) HH Gibbs 98* (117b 13x4 1x6)
37.1 Styris to Kallis, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, steers
it away behind point, but again they can't get it past Vincent
flinging himself to his left at backward point
37.2 Styris to Kallis, no run, oooh! short ball outside off stump,
Kallis shapes to advance then readjusts, trying to cut but misses,
McCullum whips off the bails but Kallis kept the back foot
anchored
37.3 Styris to Kallis, no run, full and straight, powerfully driven
straight back down the pitch, Styris does well to react quickly
and stop it on his follow through, coming to him at head height on
the bounce
37.4 Styris to Kallis, one run, full and straight, driven down to Bond
at straight long on
37.5 Styris to Gibbs, no run, floated up slower ball, wider outside off
stump, drives and misses, McCullum fumbles the take
37.6 Styris to Gibbs, no run, fullish, straight ball, leans well
forward, turns it away straight to midwicket, the excited crowd
have to wait a little longer
End of over 38 (1 run) South Africa 193/2 (RR: 5.08)
SB Styris 9-0-31-1 - Corlett Drive End
JH Kallis 33* (47b 1x4 1x6) HH Gibbs 98* (119b 13x4 1x6)
Vettori returns, replacing Astle at the Golf Course End
38.1 Vettori to Kallis, OUT: and he strikes first ball! Kallis tries to
force the pace, advances to a flighted ball on leg stump, giving
himself some room but scoops it firmly straight to Vincent at
extra cover for a simple catch
South Africa 193/3, Partnership of 67
JH Kallis c Vincent b Vettori 33 (48b 1x4 1x6)
HH Gibbs 98* (119b 13x4 1x6) DL Vettori 7.1-0-32-1
yet another medium sized partnership comes to an end, 60, 66 and 67
for the first three wickets, time for an injection in pace with
wickets in hand - Klusener the new batsman, anyone?
but no, it's the next best thing, the hard-hitting keeper Mark
Boucher comes to the crease
38.2 Vettori to Boucher, no run, nicely flighted on off stump, forced
off the back foot into the covers, Vincent smartly fielding to his
left there
38.3 Vettori to Boucher, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
strongly sweeps along the ground out to deep square leg
38.4 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full and straight, yet
another one of the Gibbs' special paddles, down to Cairns at fine
leg, they look for a second but it's not on with a strong return
to the keeper
38.5 Vettori to Boucher, no run, oooh! nicely flighted on off stump,
Boucher pushes forward, gets a big leading edge back to the
bowler, Vettori dives to his left but can't quite hold on to a
tough chance
38.6 Vettori to Boucher, no run, flighted up well outside off stump,
leans well forward, easing it into the off side in defence
End of over 39 (2 runs) South Africa 195/3 (RR: 5.00)
DL Vettori 8-0-34-1 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 99* (120b 13x4 1x6) MV Boucher 1* (4b)
39.1 Styris to Gibbs, one run, and there it is, and what more fitting
way to bring it up, but a paddle stroke from off stump, played
down to fine leg and that's Gibbs' 12th ODI century off 121 balls,
13x4, 1x6, his first against NZ at at this ground
39.2 Styris to Boucher, one run, shortish ball angling into the legs,
tucks it down just square of the midwicket fielder for a run with
the shot
39.3 Styris to Gibbs, SIX, shot! Gibbs decides to unleash now that the
milestone is out of the way, and what a way to do so, fullish ball
outside off stump, picks it up strongly over cow corner, clean
over the fence to bring up the South African 200
39.4 Styris to Gibbs, FOUR, poor bowling now from Styris, full and wide
outside off stump, hammered away through extra cover, no chance
for the sweeper to cut it off
39.5 Styris to Gibbs, wide: no run, fullish, wide ball swinging away
outside off stump, big swing and a miss, and much to the crowd's
delight, umpire Bucknor hangs out the washing, signalling wide
39.5 Styris to Gibbs, no run, full and fairly wide outside off stump
again, firmly works it square on the off side but can't get it
past a diving stop by Vincent from backward point
39.6 Styris to Gibbs, no run, loose ball, low full toss outside off
stump, smacked into the covers but fails to cash in as Oram makes
a fine diving stop in the infield
End of over 40 (13 runs) South Africa 208/3 (RR: 5.20)
SB Styris 10-0-44-1 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
MV Boucher 2* (5b) HH Gibbs 110* (125b 14x4 2x6)
Styris ends his 10 overs, his last costing 13 to ruin his figures
somewhat
Styris immediately goes off the field at the completion of his
spell and on comes sub fielder Chris Harris
40.1 Vettori to Boucher, no run, well flighted ball outside off stump,
advances but misplays it, chopping it into the pitch, straight
back to the bowler
40.2 Vettori to Boucher, one run, advances again to a flighted ball,
driven straight down to Astle at long off
40.3 Vettori to Gibbs, no run, quicker, flatter ball outside off stump,
mistimes into the covers, Vincent scoots in to field smartly
40.4 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, pushed through very full and drifting
into the toes as Gibbs looks to free the arms, squeezes it up
towards mid off, running with the shot as Vincent is across to
field
40.5 Vettori to Boucher, one run, again comes forward, flatter ball on
off stump, adjusts the stroke well, cutting out to deep point
40.6 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full on off stump,
powerfully slog/swept but straight out to the midwicket sweeper
End of over 41 (4 runs) South Africa 212/3 (RR: 5.17)
DL Vettori 9-0-38-1 - Golf Course End
HH Gibbs 112* (128b 14x4 2x6) MV Boucher 4* (8b)
Oram returns, replacing Styris at the Corlett Drive End
41.1 Oram to Gibbs, one run, very full and angling in on the toes, backs
away to leg and squeezes it away towards midwicket
41.2 Oram to Boucher, legbye: FOUR, oooh boy! full and swinging back in
as Boucher shuffles right across his stumps, struck flush full on
the boot, deflects very fine to the boundary as Oram goes up in a
huge shout for lbw, but umpire Bucknor says it was heading down
leg, very close
41.3 Oram to Boucher, one run, low full toss just outside off stump,
driven straight down to long off
41.4 Oram to Gibbs, no run, very full and wide outside off stump, Gibbs
shuffles right outside leg stump, ends up too far away from the
ball to reach it, lets it go through to the keeper, safely inside
the tramlines so rightly no wide call from umpire Bucknor
41.5 Oram to Gibbs, one run, full outside off stump, launched strongly
over cover, out to the sweeper on the bounce
41.6 Oram to Boucher, FOUR, Boucher rides his luck again, good shortish
ball outside off stump, has a big cross-batted swipe, gets a
streaky bottom edge past off stump, and runs just wide of the
keeper down the leg side to the rope
End of over 42 (11 runs) South Africa 223/3 (RR: 5.31)
JDP Oram 6-0-41-0 (1w 1nb) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 114* (131b 14x4 2x6) MV Boucher 9* (11b 1x4)
42.1 Vettori to Gibbs, FOUR, shot! flighted up full on off stump, Gibbs
smashes it incredibly hard back on the off side of the pitch past
the bowler, races down to the straight boundary
42.2 Vettori to Gibbs, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
nudged away towards extra cover, runs a tight single with the
shot, Vincent lobs the throw to Vettori at the bowler's end,
breaks the stumps and umpire Willey refers to the TV umpire, but
Gibbs' dive is miles home
42.3 Vettori to Boucher, one run, flat ball on off stump, punched away
straight out to the cover sweeper
42.4 Vettori to Gibbs, SIX, shot! Gibbs looking for a big innings today,
on fire since he's reached his ton, flighted ball on off stump, on
bended knee and swings it a mile over wide midwicket, a huge blow
42.5 Vettori to Gibbs, FOUR, and again! Gibbs batting in the highlights,
flighted up full and straight, advances with wonderful footwork,
smashing it straight back over the bowler's head
42.6 Vettori to Gibbs, FOUR, three boundaries in a row! great over for
South Africa, advancing again and flat batting it through extra
cover, scorches away to the boundary
End of over 43 (20 runs) South Africa 243/3 (RR: 5.65)
DL Vettori 10-0-58-1 - Golf Course End
MV Boucher 10* (12b 1x4) HH Gibbs 133* (136b 17x4 3x6)
Vettori's figures are absolutely destroyed in his final over, which
cost 20, his previous 9 only going for 38
that last boundary also brings up a very quick 50 stand, off just
29 balls, the fourth in a row in this innings
43.1 Oram to Boucher, no run, full toss outside off stump, Boucher fails
to cash in, pulling it straight to Adams at midwicket, shies just
wide at the bowler's end as Gibbs is forced to dive back home, was
close had it hit direct
43.2 Oram to Boucher, OUT: Boucher tries to match Gibbs but can't quite
do so, fullish ball and lofts it a long, long way in the air, too
high for his own liking, down to Cairns at long on, who takes it
head high and tumbles backwards to the turf, but safely inside the
South Africa 243/4, Partnership of 50
MV Boucher c Cairns b Oram 10 (14b 1x4 0x6)
HH Gibbs 133* (136b 17x4 3x6) JDP Oram 6.2-0-41-1 (1w 1nb)
boundary rope
the crowd go bananas as the expected new batsman walks to the
crease in a tailor-made situation, Lance Klusener
43.3 Oram to Gibbs, FOUR, Gibbs unstoppable! very full and straight,
driven straight back past the bowler sprawling unsuccessfully
trying to stop it, perfectly splits long off and long on, into the
rope in front of the sightscreen
43.4 Oram to Gibbs, wide: no run, wayward from Oram, full and very wide
outside off stump, through to the keeper
a little delay as Klusener has a word to umpire Bucknor about the
colour of the ball, and the umpires agree to get a replacement out
Gibbs' 37 runs scored since reaching his ton have taken just 16
balls, in ominous touch now after some scratchy earlier periods
43.4 Oram to Gibbs, wide: no run, full and wide outside off stump, swing
and a miss as he can't reach it, through to the keeper, Oram
really letting the pressure get to him
43.4 Oram to Gibbs, one run, full and widish outside off stump, forces
it away down to Vincent at wide third man, brings up the South
African 250 off 265 balls
43.5 Oram to Klusener, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, gets
right across in behind it, defending straight back to the bowler
43.6 Oram to Klusener, no run, digs in a short ball on off stump,
Klusener rocks the head back out of the way to leave to the keeper
End of over 44 (7 runs) South Africa 250/4 (RR: 5.68)
JDP Oram 7-0-48-1 (3w 1nb) - Corlett Drive End
HH Gibbs 138* (138b 18x4 3x6) L Klusener 0* (2b)
Adams returns, replacing Vettori at the Golf Course End
44.1 Adams to Gibbs, one run, low full toss swinging back in to the legs
as he shuffles to leg stump, driven straight down the ground on
the leg side, Vincent has a bit of ground to cover, sliding around
from wide long on to field, somehow they only get one run from the
shot, Gibbs
seems to be struggling with his fitness, a bit of an endurance
knock now that he's been out there for over 44 overs
44.2 Adams to Klusener, two runs, full and rather wide outside off
stump, reaches after it, forcing it out through cover, the sweeper
too has a bit of ground to cover, just picking up inside the
boundary
44.3 Adams to Klusener, wide: no run, very poor control from the New
Zealand pacers in operation, full and very wide outside off stump,
through to the keeper as Klusener can't reach it
44.3 Adams to Klusener, no run, and wide again! this time the batsman
makes contact, chopping it straight to point
44.4 Adams to Klusener, no run, much tighter, straight shortish ball on
off stump, Klusener can only keep it out in defence straight back
to the bowler
44.5 Adams to Klusener, one run, slower, full and straight ball, driven
out to the cover sweeper for a leisurely single
44.6 Adams to Gibbs, FOUR, fullish ball on off stump, Gibbs again frees
the arms by backing outside leg stump, lofts it over extra cover,
just pitches inside the rope as it bisects the outfielders
perfectly once more
End of over 45 (9 runs) South Africa 259/4 (RR: 5.76)
AR Adams 7-0-36-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
L Klusener 3* (6b) HH Gibbs 143* (140b 19x4 3x6)
45.1 Oram to Klusener, one run, full outside off stump, forced away out
to the cover sweeper, happy to feed the strike to Gibbs who is in
the zone
45.2 Oram to Gibbs, OUT: but he holes out this time, shortish ball on
off stump, pulls strongly, hard and flat over midwicket, but
straight to McMillan on the boundary, walks off to a standing
ovation
South Africa 260/5, Partnership of 17
HH Gibbs c McMillan b Oram 143 (141b 19x4 3x6)
L Klusener 4* (7b) JDP Oram 7.2-0-49-2 (3w 1nb)
a fine innings, a real mixture from him today, going through many
different phases, sometimes streaky, some quiet, sometimes
inventive, sometimes belligerent but often clinical, equals the
highest score made by an individual on this ground
that made just a few days earlier by Andrew Symonds for Australia
against Pakistan!
Shaun Pollock the new batsman
45.3 Oram to Pollock, no run, slower, straight ball, turned away
straight to the midwicket fielder
45.4 Oram to Pollock, one run, very full outside off stump, forced away
along the ground out to deep point to get off the mark
45.5 Oram to Klusener, one run, full outside off stump, forced along the
ground to Cairns at extra cover, bad misfield, hits the foot and
balloons away behind him to concede a single
45.6 Oram to Pollock, one run, slower, fullish ball outside off stump,
driven down towards wide long on, looking for a second but it's
fired back smartly to prevent it
End of over 46 (4 runs) South Africa 263/5 (RR: 5.72)
JDP Oram 8-0-52-2 (3w 1nb) - Corlett Drive End
SM Pollock 2* (3b) L Klusener 5* (8b)
46.1 Adams to Pollock, one run, very full outside off stump, forced away
out to deep point, restricted to singles in recent times
46.2 Adams to Klusener, one run, slower, shortish, straight ball,
mistimes a pull, dragging it out to the midwicket sweeper
46.3 Adams to Pollock, one run, full toss outside off stump, lofted over
point, but again only a single on offer as McMillan gets around to
field on the bounce just inside the rope
46.4 Adams to Klusener, FOUR, Klusener breaks the monotony with a smart
shot, fullish ball outside off stump, waits for it and places it
perfectly through extra cover, beating two men in the deep to the
rope
46.5 Adams to Klusener, SIX, telegraphed shorter ball, sits up and
Klusener finds the middle, swinging it away over wide midwicket, a
big chant of 'Zulu' rings around the ground
46.6 Adams to Klusener, wide: no run, Adams struggles bowling to
Klusener now, slower ball but is woefully off target, full and
very wide outside off stump, left alone to the keeper
46.6 Adams to Klusener, no run, shortish, straight ball, mistimes a
pull, playing it straight to the one man inside the circle on the
leg side
End of over 47 (14 runs) South Africa 277/5 (RR: 5.89)
AR Adams 8-0-50-0 (4w) - Golf Course End
SM Pollock 4* (5b) L Klusener 16* (12b 1x4 1x6)
Bond returns to bowl the last two overs from the Corlett Drive End,
replacing Oram
47.1 Bond to Pollock, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump, slapped
powerfully over cover, Oram tumbles around the boundary to just
stop it inside the rope
47.2 Bond to Pollock, wide: no run, very poor bowling from the New
Zealand pace bowlers at the death, wide full toss outside off
stump, swing and a miss, McCullum has a fair bit of work to get
across to it, tumbling to glove it to his right
47.2 Bond to Pollock, two runs, another poor ball, but is saved by a
brilliant piece of outfielding, low full toss outside off stump,
smacked away through cover, Oram dives and grabs it just inside
the rope when it was all but past him
47.3 Bond to Pollock, one run, slower, shortish ball outside off stump,
steers a thick outside edge down towards third man
47.4 Bond to Klusener, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
through cover, McMillan gets around smartly in the deep, whipping
a throw back in to a relay fielder to prevent them attempting a
second run
47.5 Bond to Pollock, one run, yorker length ball outside off stump,
Pollock can only dig it out up towards wide mid off for an easy
single
47.6 Bond to Klusener, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
straight down to long off to retain the strike
End of over 48 (9 runs) South Africa 286/5 (RR: 5.96)
SE Bond 9-0-60-1 (3w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
L Klusener 18* (14b 1x4 1x6) SM Pollock 10* (9b)
48.1 Adams to Klusener, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, tries
to pull but mistimes it, dragging it straight down to long on
48.2 Adams to Pollock, OUT: a high full toss following Pollock down the
leg side, gets right under it, too far under it, lofts it very
high, drops straight to Oram waiting on the circle edge at
midwicket to complete an easy catch
South Africa 287/6, Partnership of 27
SM Pollock c Oram b Adams 10 (10b 0x4 0x6)
L Klusener 19* (15b 1x4 1x6) AR Adams 8.2-0-51-1 (4w)
interestingly it'll be Gary Kirsten to come in at No 8, ahead of
Boeta Dippenaar, though seeing Kirsten walking in at No 8 is
unusual enough as it is
48.3 Adams to Klusener, FOUR, short and wide outside off stump, carved
away through the covers, cracking shot beating the sprawling
sweeping fielder
48.4 Adams to Klusener, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, back
cuts straight down to third man
48.5 Adams to Kirsten, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, taps
it down towards vacant mid off for an easy single with the shot to
get off the mark
48.6 Adams to Klusener, no run, very full and relatively wide outside
off stump, swing and a miss, through to the keeper, just inside
the line to avoid being called wide
End of over 49 (7 runs) South Africa 293/6 (RR: 5.98)
AR Adams 9-0-57-1 (4w) - Golf Course End
G Kirsten 1* (1b) L Klusener 24* (18b 2x4 1x6)
49.1 Bond to Kirsten, one run, full and wide outside off stump, steered
away out to deep cover to give Klusener back the strike
49.2 Bond to Klusener, FOUR, kapow! very full and straight, smashed
straight back down the pitch, hits the stumps at the other end,
deflects down through mid on, and still has enough power to get to
the rope and beat the fielder down the ground
49.3 Bond to Klusener, one run, low full toss outside off stump, driven
straight down to Adams at long off, fielding very smartly to
prevent Klusener getting back on strike
49.4 Bond to Kirsten, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump, steers
it away through backward point, quickly back for the second as
Astle is around to field from third man, brings up the South
African 300 with 2 balls remaining in their 50 overs
49.5 Bond to Kirsten, one run, slower, fullish ball on off stump, pushed
straight down to Adams at long off and they amble a single
49.6 Bond to Klusener, FOUR, a great finish for South Africa, terrible
wide full toss outside off stump from Bond, carved away through
point, rockets to the boundary to finish things off in style
End of over 50 (13 runs) South Africa 306/6 (RR: 6.12)
SE Bond 10-0-73-1 (3w 2nb) - Corlett Drive End
G Kirsten 5* (4b) L Klusener 33* (21b 4x4 1x6)
South Africa end up with an imposing 306/6, the grand finisher
nicknamed Zulu is cheered wildly off the ground for his 21-ball
cameo for 33, and a helicopter flies over the ground with a
massive South African flag draped below it, with over 70,000
signatures of fans on it supporting the home team's quest for
victory in this World Cup, and with a performance in the first
half of today, they're showing all the signs they could do the job
a very consistent batting effort down the entire order, though
funnily Gibbs outscored the next best batsman by the small manner
of 110 runs!
Gibbs innings was more than just an anchor, it was the cornerstone
to a huge total, and everyone else batted around him until
Klusener's dash at the end
the first four partnerships were all worth 50+, a perfect
foundation for the big score, as good as having one big
partnership if everyone chips in
the New Zealand bowlers had a day they'd rather forget today, a
contrasting effort to their sharp performance against the West
Indies, with nobody really escaping the wrath of the South
Africans at all
the most economical was Styris, but even his last over cost 13,
ditto Vettori who ended up with very unflattering figures,
shattered by a 20-run last over
Bond and Adams again failed to get it right at the death, though
the seeds were sown much earlier, and it always felt quiet
inevitable that big runs were going to fly off someone's bat in
the final 10 overs
111 runs coming off the last 11 overs in all, that's a real
blitzkrieg and may well have played New Zealand out of this must-
win game
New Zealand have never successfully chased a 300+ score before,
though they have come close once or twice, and their highest score
batting second in ODIs is less than what they need today, it is
big ask in a criticial situation against a decidedly useful
bowling attack!
please join us again in just under 30 minutes time for New
Zealand's quest for 307 at a required run rate of 6.14 at the
Wanderers
any comments about our coverage so far today can be sent to
comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly appreciated
Match State: Innings Break
the players return to the field and there's a surprise move, with
out of form Craig McMillan to open the batting, taking first
strike to Shaun Pollock, with Stephen Fleming at the non-striker's
end
0.1 Pollock to McMillan, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
nudges it away just behind point for a quick run to get underway
immediately
0.2 Pollock to Fleming, no run, fair length ball angling away outside
off stump, leaves alone through to the keeper
0.3 Pollock to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, props well
forward, getting right in behind it, solidly defending up towards
mid on
0.4 Pollock to Fleming, no run, tight fullish ball just outside off
stump, leans well forward, easing it towards point in defence
0.5 Pollock to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling away outside off
stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
0.6 Pollock to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump,
shuffles forward, drops it down into the covers in defence
End of over 1 (1 run) New Zealand 1/0 (RR: 1.00 RRR: 306/49 = 6.24)
SM Pollock 1-0-1-0 - Corlett Drive End
CD McMillan 1* (1b) SP Fleming 0* (5b)
Makhaya Ntini to open the bowling from the Golf Course End
1.1 Ntini to McMillan, one run, short outside off stump, powerfully
slashes at it, cutting hard over backward point, Kirsten races
around from third man, making a fine sliding stop just inside the
rope, saves three runs
1.2 Ntini to Fleming, FOUR, shot! loose ball from Ntini, full and down
the leg side, strongly picked up over backward square leg, just
pitches inches inside the rope
1.3 Ntini to Fleming, no run, much better line, tight shortish ball
angling across to off stump to the left-hander, drops it down into
the off side in defence
1.4 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked down to
midwicket in defence
1.5 Ntini to Fleming, wide: no run, shortish ball angling away outside
off stump, shapes to play at it before leaving alone to the
keeper, a late call of wide from umpire Willey
1.5 Ntini to Fleming, wide: no run, very similar again, shortish ball
angling away wide outside off stump, left alone to the keeper,
Ntini very unhappy with that wide call but gets no sympathy from
umpire Willey
1.5 Ntini to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, drives at it,
squirting a thick outside edge away to point as he plays across it
somewhat
1.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, tight shortish, straight ball, Fleming
watchfully defends back down the pitch to the bowler
End of over 2 (7 runs) New Zealand 8/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 299/48 = 6.23)
M Ntini 1-0-7-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 2* (2b) SP Fleming 4* (10b 1x4)
some ominous storm clouds start to gather nearby, it's getting
quite dark at the ground now, might need the lights on soon!
2.1 Pollock to McMillan, no run, short rising ball on off stump, stands
tall on the crease, forces it down into the covers in defence
2.2 Pollock to McMillan, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans
forward, steering it away through backward point, down to wide
third man
2.3 Pollock to Fleming, FOUR, Fleming invents and wins on this
occasion, advancing to a good shortish ball outside off stump,
slashes hard at it, flies over backward point and races to the
rope
2.4 Pollock to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, leans forward, steering it away to point in defence
2.5 Pollock to Fleming, one run, shortish ball just angling away
outside off stump, opens the face, steering it down to third man
2.6 Pollock to McMillan, no run, good ball! sharp shortish ball cutting
back a long way off the seam, surprises McMillan who is well
tucked up by it, cops it on the body, dropping down in close on
the off side as he jumps on the crease
End of over 3 (6 runs) New Zealand 14/0 (RR: 4.67 RRR: 293/47 = 6.23)
SM Pollock 2-0-7-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 9* (13b 2x4) CD McMillan 3* (5b)
3.1 Ntini to Fleming, no run, beaten! wonderful fullish ball rising off
a length, slanting across the left-hander at great pace, Fleming
is drawn forward to it, plays and misses, through to the keeper
3.2 Ntini to Fleming, no run, another good fullish ball lifting across
the left-hander outside off stump, very quick delivery, has a
little dabble at it, through to the keeper
3.3 Ntini to Fleming, one run, shortish lifting straight ball,
awkwardly tucks it off the body to vacant square leg for an easy
single
3.4 Ntini to McMillan, legbye: one run, quick shortish ball angling
into the body, McMillan is well hurried up by it, barely reacting
before it's on to him, drops from the thigh pad in close on the
leg side, Fleming ushers him through for a quick single with ease
3.5 Ntini to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, clipped straight
to midwicket off the legs
3.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, a corker of a ball! fullish and rising
sharply off a length outside off stump, Fleming plays inside the
line with little clue about it, flies through to the keeper
End of over 4 (2 runs) New Zealand 16/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 291/46 = 6.33)
M Ntini 2-0-8-0 (2w) - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 3* (6b) SP Fleming 10* (18b 2x4)
4.1 Pollock to McMillan, no run, good shortish ball just outside off
stump, McMillan tries to play a dangerous dabble behind square,
plays and misses through to the keeper
4.2 Pollock to McMillan, no run, beaten! cracking short lifting
straight ball, cuts back a long way in from outside off stump,
bounces over leg stump, Boucher dives to take it very well down
the leg side, McMillan cut in half by that one
4.3 Pollock to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
nudged away straight to point
4.4 Pollock to McMillan, one run, McMillan advances but Pollock reads
it, digging it in shorter and at the batsman down the leg side,
tries to pull but awkwardly plays it off the body towards vacant
midwicket, losing one hand off the bat in the process, not pretty
cricket
4.5 Pollock to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, nudged down into the covers in defence
4.6 Pollock to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, leans
forward, easing it in close on the off side, smart quick run taken
with the shot as it's played short of the cover field
End of over 5 (2 runs) New Zealand 18/0 (RR: 3.60 RRR: 289/45 = 6.42)
SM Pollock 3-0-9-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 11* (20b 2x4) CD McMillan 4* (10b)
5.1 Ntini to Fleming, FOUR, shot! shortish ball angling away outside
off stump, plays a fine cut down through point, well timed, using
the pace of the delivery and it races to the boundary
5.2 Ntini to Fleming, no run, good tight shortish, straight ball,
defends down into the covers from the crease as he's cramped up
5.3 Ntini to Fleming, wide: no run, good length ball angling away quite
wide outside off stump, Fleming chases after it, swing and a miss,
umpire Willey has Ntini disappointed again as he signals wide
5.3 Ntini to Fleming, one run, good shortish ball angling on off stump,
gets a thick outside edge flying wide of third slip, down to
Donald at third man
5.4 Ntini to McMillan, legbye: one run, full and swinging down the leg
side, deflects off the pad down to fine leg as McMillan again is
done for pace by that one and reacts sluggishly to it
5.5 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish lifting ball on off stump,
defends from the crease, playing it down towards point
5.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, beaten! lovely fullish lifting ball
angling across the left-hander outside off stump, plays and
misses, through to the keeper
End of over 6 (7 runs) New Zealand 25/0 (RR: 4.17 RRR: 282/44 = 6.41)
M Ntini 3-0-14-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 4* (11b) SP Fleming 16* (25b 3x4)
6.1 Pollock to McMillan, no run, tight shortish ball just outside off
stump, tries to cut but is cramped up, chops it into the ground,
bounces away to point
6.2 Pollock to McMillan, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly back cuts through backward point, scoots back for the
second as Kirsten has to get around to it from third man
6.3 Pollock to McMillan, no run, tight shortish, straight ball, taps it
down in close on the off side in defence
6.4 Pollock to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
McMillan mistimes an attempted pull, dragging it straight to Smith
at forward square leg
6.5 Pollock to McMillan, two runs, similar again, but this time
McMillan more smartly places the ball in the gap at midwicket,
whipping it across the line rather than attempting to smash it,
Kirsten chases from mid on, allows a second run to be taken
6.6 Pollock to McMillan, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
squeezed away straight to point in defence
End of over 7 (4 runs) New Zealand 29/0 (RR: 4.14 RRR: 278/43 = 6.47)
SM Pollock 4-0-13-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 16* (25b 3x4) CD McMillan 8* (17b)
7.1 Ntini to Fleming, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
firmly pushed up wide of mid off, easy run taken with the shot
7.2 Ntini to McMillan, one run, good short rising ball outside off
stump, steers it down to third man off a rather uncontrolled thick
outside edge
7.3 Ntini to Fleming, no run, fine delivery! rising off a tricky
length, and angling across the left-hander at pace, Fleming plays
just inside the line, knew very little about that one, through to
the keeper
7.4 Ntini to Fleming, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, steers
it away to point in defence
7.5 Ntini to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, slashes
hard at it, thick outside edge flies hard and flat through the
air, down to Donald at third man on the bounce
7.6 Ntini to McMillan, no run, good ball! fast short rising ball just
outside off stump, McMillan jumps to meet it, fending it down in
close on the off side, nearly ballooning up dangerously
End of over 8 (3 runs) New Zealand 32/0 (RR: 4.00 RRR: 275/42 = 6.55)
M Ntini 4-0-17-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 18* (29b 3x4) CD McMillan 9* (19b)
it's getting very, very dark and very windy at the Wanderers,
lightning in the background, it would seem this thunderstorm is
not far away
8.1 Pollock to Fleming, no run, tight shortish lifting ball on off
stump, forced straight up to mid off in defence
8.2 Pollock to Fleming, one run, shortish ball angling on leg stump,
tucked away through square leg for an easy single
8.3 Pollock to McMillan, one run, tight shortish ball lifting on off
stump, tapped down towards backward point, tight quick single
taken with the shot as the fielder scoots in to the ball, fires
wide at the bowler's end but McMillan was well home
8.4 Pollock to Fleming, no run, good length ball on off stump, firmly
stroked straight to the cover fielder
8.5 Pollock to Fleming, FOUR, shot! Fleming advances to a shortish
rising ball outside off stump, carves it over backward point at
the top of the bounce
the lights are now switched on at the ground, to make up for a lack
of natural lighting
8.6 Pollock to Fleming, one run, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked off
the hip down to long leg to retain the strike
End of over 9 (7 runs) New Zealand 39/0 (RR: 4.33 RRR: 268/41 = 6.54)
SM Pollock 5-0-20-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 24* (34b 4x4) CD McMillan 10* (20b)
9.1 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
punched strongly towards point, Gibbs makes a great diving half
stop, parries it away to his neighbouring fielder to prevent any
run
9.2 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, nudges it
straight back to the bowler from an inside edge
9.3 Ntini to Fleming, two runs, shortish ball on leg stump, tucked away
off the hip through backward square leg, fine leg is up inside the
circle so it's up to Dippenaar to race around from deep square leg
to field, sliding to pick up just inside the rope
9.4 Ntini to Fleming, no run, oooh! good sharp short rising ball
outside off stump, Fleming attempts to flay it square on the off
side but plays and misses, taken by Boucher high up
9.5 Ntini to Fleming, FOUR, shot! Fleming picks off this one, similar
delivery outside off stump, uses the bounce and pace, lifting it
over backward point, very smart cricket
9.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, firmly steered
away just behind point, Gibbs makes a fine diving stop to prevent
a single
End of over 10 (6 runs) New Zealand 45/0 (RR: 4.50 RRR: 262/40 = 6.55)
M Ntini 5-0-23-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 10* (20b) SP Fleming 30* (40b 5x4)
Allan Donald on to bowl at the Corlett Drive End, replacing Pollock
10.1 Donald to McMillan, one run, oooh! and nearly success first ball,
McMillan rides his luck like Gibbs early, short rising ball
cutting back from well outside off stump, looks to back cut it but
is suddenly cramped up by the movement back in, chops a bottom
edge just past the stumps
10.2 Donald to Fleming, wide: no run, full and wide, angling well down
the leg side, Fleming can't reach it, through to the keeper
10.2 Donald to Fleming, one run, leans well forward to a good length
ball straightening on Fleming, taken high on the pad and draws a
loud shout for lbw from the bowler but umpire Bucknor shakes the
head, a bit high and angling past off stump, quick run taken as it
drops away just
in front of point, deflecting from the pads on to the back of the
bat as it went away
10.3 Donald to McMillan, SIX, shot! shortish rising ball outside off
stump, McMillan plays a straight pull, smashing it hard and high
over wide long on, sails a long way over the rope
10.4 Donald to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
dabs it off the face down to third man
10.5 Donald to Fleming, no run, good fullish, straight ball, looks to
drive down the ground but is taken on the pad as he's beaten for
movement back in, stifled shout for lbw, struck outside the line
of off stump
10.6 Donald to Fleming, FOUR, shot! full on the legs, strongly picked
off through midwicket, ends a very good over for New Zealand,
brings the required run rate back into check
End of over 11 (14 runs) New Zealand 59/0 (RR: 5.36 RRR: 248/39 = 6.36)
AA Donald 1-0-14-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
CD McMillan 18* (23b 1x6) SP Fleming 35* (43b 6x4)
a double bowling change, Jacques Kallis on to bowl for Ntini at the
Golf Course End
a bit of a delay as they struggle to get the sightscreen to the
right colour behind the bowler's arm, and in the meantime a very
strong stormy wind continues to pound the ground, and a light
shower starts to drift across
we continue to play the waiting game as there is a power failure in
the ground, and that's the reason why the sightscreen can't change
to a black background!
the scoreboard is blank too, though just now switches back on so
maybe things have been restored
quite a dramatic scene at the ground as the restless crowd start to
whistle and jeer, with the sightscreen still stuck, the light
drizzle falling under the strengthening ground lights, and the
wind continues to bluster
Match State: Delay - Sightscreen broken
the South Africans huddle in the middle, trying to keep focused
amidst the confusion
the umpires speak with the match referee, and continue talks with
the groundsmen as to how to deal with the situation, this is
getting a touch farcical now
in this day and age of whizz bang electronic gadgets, it seems that
the simplest of problems can't be overcome - there's no way of
manually changing the sightscreen, seems to require power!
just the one light tower is on at the moment, warmed up to full
power, it would seem that it has its own power source so is
unaffected ... or it's sucking up all the power required to
operate the rest of the ground!
at last things are sorted, the sightscreen is black again and after
15 minutes, and more drizzle falling on the ground, we're ready to
start Kallis' first over
the rain is getting harder now too! drama, drama and then more
drama to round it off here
and even more drama! amazingly as Kallis runs in to bowl McMillan
backs away at the last minute, as rain gets into his eyes, Kallis
delivers the ball as he can't bail out, a bit of a funny off
spinner, wide of off stump, through to the keeper!
11.1 Kallis to McMillan, no run, at last a genuine delivery! fullish
outside off stump, left alone through to the keeper
now the umpires come together to have a word about the
weather/light conditions! but for the time being they decide to go
on
11.2 Kallis to McMillan, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
pushes it up towards wide mid on, quick single taken smartly with
the shot as it came off an inside edge and travelled slowly
11.3 Kallis to Fleming, FOUR, shot! shortish, straight ball, picked off
the body through midwicket, all timing off the back foot, superb
placement, gathers pace in the outfield and beats two chasers to
the rope
11.4 Kallis to Fleming, FOUR, four more! the crowd get increasingly
worried, full down the leg side, strongly clipped away, well wide
of the man up inside the circle at short fine leg, and finds the
rope again
11.5 Kallis to Fleming, FOUR, amazing! short and a bit wide outside off
stump, wonderfully cut through backward point, very strongly
played and third man can't cut it off
11.6 Kallis to Fleming, FOUR, four in a row! wonderful cricket from
Fleming, Kallis strays again, full outside off stump, elegantly
driven through the covers, brings up a 47-ball 50 including 10x4,
and the crowd are muted, this is a most bizarre game after the
interval!
End of over 12 (17 runs) New Zealand 76/0 (RR: 6.33 RRR: 231/38 = 6.08)
JH Kallis 1-0-17-0 - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 19* (25b 1x6) SP Fleming 51* (47b 10x4)
12.1 Donald to McMillan, two runs, full and straight, clipped off the
toes out through midwicket, there is a man out in the deep though,
comes around to comfortably cut it off inside the boundary,
McMillan read the slower ball well
12.2 Donald to McMillan, FOUR, boy oh boy! short and wide outside off
stump, McMillan cuts, slices a thick outside edge, but gets it
wide of slip, and races fine of third man to the rope
New Zealand have scored 23 runs from the last 7 balls of the
innings!
12.3 Donald to McMillan, no run, a dot ball! the crowd give an ironic
cheer, tight shortish ball just outside off stump, chops it down
to backward point
12.4 Donald to McMillan, no run, and another ironic cheer! very full and
straight, firmly stroked straight back to the bowler
12.5 Donald to McMillan, no run, shortish ball outside off stump,
slashes and misses, through to the keeper, Boucher claps
encouragement for the embattled Donald
12.6 Donald to McMillan, no run, great comeback by Donald to finish the
over, very full outside off stump, McMillan comes forward, driving
and missing, playing right over the top of it, just misses off
stump, through to the keeper
End of over 13 (6 runs) New Zealand 82/0 (RR: 6.31 RRR: 225/37 = 6.08)
AA Donald 2-0-20-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 51* (47b 10x4) CD McMillan 25* (31b 1x4 1x6)
dramatic stuff in the last few overs, New Zealand suddenly on top,
with the current run rate ahead of what's required
13.1 Kallis to Fleming, two runs, shortish, straight ball, well worked
off the legs through midwicket, quickly back for the second
13.2 Kallis to Fleming, legbye: FOUR, full and straight, swinging in as
Fleming shuffles across to off stump, glances it fine off the pad,
just wide of the diving Boucher, down to the boundary for four
more
13.3 Kallis to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, pushes
forward, playing it away towards point, looking for a quick run
but McMillan yells no
13.4 Kallis to Fleming, no run, good length ball angling in from just
outside off stump, firmly stroked down into the covers to Gibbs
roaming across to field it
13.5 Kallis to Fleming, no run, dropped! unbelievable, absolutely
unbelievable, good length ball outside off stump, Fleming drives,
gets a regulation edge, straight through to Boucher, grabs at it
to his left, somehow it goes in and out of the gloves, a simple
chance grassed
13.6 Kallis to Fleming, wide: no run, it goes from bad to worse for the
bowler, straying in line, full and wide outside off stump, left
alone through to the keeper
13.6 Kallis to Fleming, no run, full and straight just outside off
stump, firmly driven straight back to the bowler
End of over 14 (7 runs) New Zealand 89/0 (RR: 6.36 RRR: 218/36 = 6.06)
JH Kallis 2-0-20-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
CD McMillan 25* (31b 1x4 1x6) SP Fleming 53* (53b 10x4)
14.1 Donald to McMillan, OUT: but this time the breakthough is made and
Boucher makes no mistake, very full just outside off stump, drives
hard at it but only gets a thin edge straight through to the
keeper, and boy is Donald ecstatic about that!
New Zealand 89/1, Partnership of 89
CD McMillan c Boucher b Donald 25 (32b 1x4 1x6)
SP Fleming 53* (53b 10x4) AA Donald 2.1-0-20-1 (1w)
Nathan Astle the new batsman
14.2 Donald to Astle, wide: no run, full and wide, very wide outside off
stump and swinging further away, leaves alone through to the
keeper
14.2 Donald to Astle, five runs, boy oh boy, even more drama! full
outside off stump, firmly drives up towards Pollock at mid off,
they take a quick single with the shot, there's a throw at the
bowler's end, deflects off Astle's bat running through, goes to
the midwicket boundary
but then umpire Bucknor half signals a dead ball, then Fleming
comes up to discuss it with him, followed by Pollock, as under the
laws it was unintentional by Astle, so was fine, and the runs
count
14.3 Donald to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, leaves
alone through to the keeper
now the umpires come together to have another look at the
conditions as it rains even harder now
14.4 Donald to Fleming, no run, similar again, fullish outside off
stump, leaves alone through to the keeper who takes it low down
14.5 Donald to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly pushes it
straight up to Kirsten at mid off
14.6 Donald to Fleming, wide: no run, full and wide, angling down the
leg side, Fleming tries to flick it fine but misses
14.6 Donald to Fleming, one run, shorter ball outside off stump, steers
it away off the face down to third man
End of over 15 (8 runs) New Zealand 97/1 (RR: 6.47 RRR: 210/35 = 6.00)
AA Donald 3-0-28-1 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 54* (57b 10x4) NJ Astle 5* (1b)
the rain gets too hard and finally the umpires decide to haul
everyone off the field, on come the covers at great speed
a crowd of over 30,000 at the Wanderers get another slice of drama
to deal with, this is turning out to be a quite remarkable game
interestingly, under the quirks of the Duckworth/Lewis method, had
it rained after exactly 25 overs and the match been ended at that
point, New Zealand would need to be just 110/1 (or 120/2, or
134/3, or 153/4 ...) to be ruled winners
however, the stoppage has come short of the 25-over mark, the
minimum innings length required to get a legitimate result in an
ODI, so if we do get back on to try and fit in at least 10 more
overs, New Zealand's target is likely to be adjusted
in which case, South Africa will be spared coming up on the wrong
end of the foibles of the method used, though New Zealand are in a
good position relative to the par values at the moment, so will be
rewarded subsequently when it comes to recalculation
at present New Zealand are +31 compared to the par value after 15
overs of their chase (and one wicket down), though this is a
nominal comparison of course, as the match doesn't count
officially yet
the rain is now easing it would seem, though there's no guessing as
to when we might get a resumption, please stick with us for
frequent updates as to the situation
Match State: Delay - Rain
in fact, the rain has stopped and the players are immediately back
to the middle - so no reduction in overs!
15.1 Kallis to Fleming, no run, fullish ball angling in from around the
wicket, strongly forced square on the off side but can't get it
past a fine save by Gibbs there
15.2 Kallis to Fleming, no run, good ball! fullish ball angling in from
around the wicket, straightens off the seam, Fleming drives down
the wrong line, beaten through to the keeper
15.3 Kallis to Fleming, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
stroked into the covers in defence
15.4 Kallis to Fleming, one run, shortish ball on off stump, tapped down
in close on the off side, tight quick single taken with the shot,
Boje scoots in to field, throws down the stumps at the keeper's
end, TV umpire referred to but Astle is well home
15.5 Kallis to Astle, no run, oooh! good ball from Kallis, fullish ball
angling in on off stump, Astle pushes forward, rapped on the pads
and there's a huge shout for lbw, umpire Willey is quick to shake
the head, very close but just struck fractionally outside the line
of off stum
15.6 Kallis to Astle, one run, shortish ball angling to leg stump,
stands on one leg and pulls it away down to long leg
End of over 16 (2 runs) New Zealand 99/1 (RR: 6.19 RRR: 208/34 = 6.12)
JH Kallis 3-0-22-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 6* (3b) SP Fleming 55* (61b 10x4)
16.1 Donald to Astle, two runs, fullish ball outside off stump, Astle
launches into a big shot, doesn't quite get hold of it, lofting
over cover point, pitches in the deep and Smith just gets around
to it inside the rope on the bounce
16.2 Donald to Astle, one run, fullish ball just cutting back in
slightly outside off stump, Astle closes the face, just squirting
it away through vacant square leg, Donald briefly thinking he had
sneaked it through the batsman's defences
16.3 Donald to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, firmly driven
straight up to mid on
16.4 Donald to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball on off stump,
Fleming looks to play it to the leg side but miscues it, played
straight to shortish cover
16.5 Donald to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, looks
to drive through the off side this time, again doesn't play the
right line, dragging an inside edge away wide of mid on for a
single
16.6 Donald to Astle, no run, oooh! good fullish ball outside off stump,
a little wide and swinging away further, swing and a miss from
Astle, through to the keeper
End of over 17 (4 runs) New Zealand 103/1 (RR: 6.06 RRR: 204/33 = 6.18)
AA Donald 4-0-32-1 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 56* (64b 10x4) NJ Astle 9* (6b)
17.1 Kallis to Fleming, FOUR, superb shot! full and angling in on the
legs from around the wicket, magnificently timed off the legs,
through midwicket, there's a man racing around in the deep but it
beats Dippenaar's despairing dive
17.2 Kallis to Fleming, no run, fullish, straight ball, props forward in
defence, easing it up towards mid on
17.3 Kallis to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
firmly steers it straight to Gibbs at backward point
17.4 Kallis to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, sweetly
driven out to the deep cover sweeper
17.5 Kallis to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball just straying on
the body, tucked off the hip out to deep square leg
17.6 Kallis to Fleming, one run, full and angling on the legs, Kallis
struggling with his line to the left/right-hand combination at the
crease, clipped away out to Dippenaar at deep midwicket
End of over 18 (7 runs) New Zealand 110/1 (RR: 6.11 RRR: 197/32 = 6.16)
JH Kallis 4-0-29-0 (1w) - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 62* (69b 11x4) NJ Astle 10* (7b)
Nicky Boje on to bowl, replacing Donald after 4 expensive overs at
the Corlett Drive End
18.1 Boje to Fleming, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, leans
forward, firmly stroking it straight back to the bowler
18.2 Boje to Fleming, one run, comes down the track to a flighted ball,
driving it straight down to long on
18.3 Boje to Astle, one run, flat ball outside off stump, cut away out
to deep cover
18.4 Boje to Fleming, FOUR, Boje switches to come around the wicket to
the left-hander, but not with great initial results, pushed
through full down the leg side, flicks it very fine, past the man
at short fine leg and runs away
18.5 Boje to Fleming, FOUR, what a shot! flighted up full on the legs,
shuffles forward and drives beautifully through wide midwicket, so
well timed it runs away from a despairing Donald in the outfield,
placement perfect, gorgeous stroke
18.6 Boje to Fleming, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
driven out to the cover sweeper to retain the strike
End of over 19 (11 runs) New Zealand 121/1 (RR: 6.37 RRR: 186/31 = 6.00)
N Boje 1-0-11-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 72* (74b 13x4) NJ Astle 11* (8b)
Pollock shuffles his bowlers around some more, looking to stem the
flow and/or find another breakthrough, Ntini returns for Kallis at
the Golf Course End
19.1 Ntini to Fleming, no run, good length ball just outside off stump,
props well forward, easing it away towards point in defence
19.2 Ntini to Fleming, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, props
forward, easing it out to the cover sweeper
19.3 Ntini to Astle, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
into the covers, Boje makes a good partial stop, but deflects it
away from the mid off man coming across to cover him, allowing a
single as a result
19.4 Ntini to Fleming, one run, tight shortish ball on off stump, taps
it down in close on the off side, tight quick single taken with
the shot, another direct hit from Boje swooping in, TV umpire
referred to again, but again Astle is safely home at the keeper's
end
19.5 Ntini to Astle, one run, shortish, straight ball, stands up on one
leg, whipping it away off the hip down to Donald at long leg
19.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, oh boy oh boy! this time the running
isn't so crash hot, almost cost one of them their wicket, but both
survive, Fleming played a tight shortish ball on off stump down in
close on the leg side, they start to set off for a run but then
stop as Ntini
End of over 20 (4 runs) New Zealand 125/1 (RR: 6.25 RRR: 182/30 = 6.07)
M Ntini 6-0-27-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 13* (10b) SP Fleming 74* (78b 13x4)
charged forth to field himself, has a shy at the keeper's end as
Fleming dives back into his crease, but looked in big trouble had
it hit
20.1 Boje to Astle, one run, flighted up full and straight, driven off
the toes down to long on
20.2 Boje to Fleming, one run, flighted up full outside off stump,
steers it away through a gap in the covers for an easy single
20.3 Boje to Astle, no run, nicely flighted up on off stump, held the
pace back on it, Astle had to watch closely, defends straight back
to the bowler
20.4 Boje to Astle, wide: no run, flighted up full and wide down the leg
side, through to the keeper
20.4 Boje to Astle, no run, flighted up nicely on off stump, pushed back
on the leg side of the pitch in defence, Boje scrambles across to
field it, diving and getting in a bit of a tangle with Fleming who
stands his ground, all's well that ends well though!
20.5 Boje to Astle, one run, flatter, straight ball, goes back and
forces it straight down to long on
20.6 Boje to Fleming, one run, flat ball turning in from outside off
stump, nudged away forward of point, working the gaps well for
another single
End of over 21 (5 runs) New Zealand 130/1 (RR: 6.19 RRR: 177/29 = 6.10)
N Boje 2-0-16-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 76* (80b 13x4) NJ Astle 15* (14b)
21.1 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish, straight ball on off stump,
shuffles across in behind it, pushed up towards mid on in defence
21.2 Ntini to Fleming, no run, very similar again, tight, shortish
straight ball, tucked away to midwicket in defence
21.3 Ntini to Fleming, no run, another good tight shortish ball just
outside off stump, taps it down towards Gibbs racing in from point
to field, the crowd cheering a mini run of dot balls, realising
that's what South Africa needs to create some pressure
21.4 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish ball angling across the left-
hander, Fleming shuffles across the crease, is taken high on the
pad, loud shout for lbw but pitched well outside leg stump and was
rather high
21.5 Ntini to Fleming, no run, shortish rising ball just outside off
stump, leaves well alone through to the keeper
21.6 Ntini to Fleming, no run, and another good line and length ball
outside off stump, Fleming content to leave it alone through to
the keeper, Ntini gets a great round of applause for bowling the
first maiden of the match, after 72 overs
End of over 22 (maiden) New Zealand 130/1 (RR: 5.91 RRR: 177/28 = 6.32)
M Ntini 7-1-27-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 15* (14b) SP Fleming 76* (86b 13x4)
Pollock brings himself back on, replacing Boje at the Corlett Drive
End
22.1 Pollock to Astle, FOUR, oooh! Astle hits out to stop the run of dot
balls, and almost to his demise, shortish ball outside off stump,
pulls hard but doesn't get fully on to it, goes down the ground,
in the air, just wide of Boje flinging himself to his left at mid
on, just
trickles to the long on boundary rope
22.2 Pollock to Astle, no run, oooh! the drama continues, good length
fullish ball outside off stump, just leaving Astle slightly, he
drives and misses, there's a noise and a huge appeal and
celebrations from the South Africans, but umpire Bucknor is
unmoved, the crowd are very
unhappy but replays show it's a great decision, the bat flicking
the front pad simultaneously, was just plain beaten
22.3 Pollock to Astle, no run, fullish ball outside off stump, pushed up
towards mid off in defence
22.4 Pollock to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, steered
away to point in defence again
22.5 Pollock to Astle, one run, fullish, straight ball, firmly driven
back down the pitch, just past the bowler on his follow through,
splits mid off and mid on for an easy single
22.6 Pollock to Fleming, no run, comes forward and across to a fullish,
straightening ball, swinging across it, misses and is rapped on
the pads, another big shout for lbw but a quick shake of the head
from umpire Bucknor, looked to be struck just outside the line
End of over 23 (5 runs) New Zealand 135/1 (RR: 5.87 RRR: 172/27 = 6.37)
SM Pollock 6-0-25-0 - Corlett Drive End
NJ Astle 20* (19b 1x4) SP Fleming 76* (87b 13x4)
23.1 Ntini to Astle, no run, very full outside off stump, looks to punch
it strongly square, hits it into the ground, bouncing away to
point
23.2 Ntini to Astle, no run, good ball! sharp short rising ball outside
off stump, Astle flashes at it, playing and missing, through to
the keeper, again the crowd get excited, wonderful atmosphere
developing, this game building to a potentially great finish
23.3 Ntini to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball angling in from outside
off stump, solidly defends from the crease straight to shortish
cover
the crowd cheer every dot ball - a sure indicator there's some
nerves from the home fans, considering they are defending a score
as big as 306
23.4 Ntini to Astle, one run, fullish ball outside off stump, firmly
square driven straight out to deep point
23.5 Ntini to Fleming, FOUR, shot! full and straight, beautifully driven
off the legs, playing the on drive wonderfully well so far today,
clipped away through wide mid on, a little in the air but short
and wide of the diving Smith in the infield, gets a little touch
on it,
slowing its pace slightly, but not enough to prevent a boundary,
brings up a 58-ball 50 partnership
23.6 Ntini to Fleming, one run, full on the legs, clipped away down to
deep backward square leg to retain the strike
End of over 24 (6 runs) New Zealand 141/1 (RR: 5.88 RRR: 166/26 = 6.38)
M Ntini 8-1-33-0 (3w) - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 81* (89b 14x4) NJ Astle 21* (23b 1x4)
24.1 Pollock to Fleming, no run, good length ball just outside off
stump, nudged down into the covers in defence
24.2 Pollock to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
steered away forward of point into a gap for an easy single
24.3 Pollock to Astle, no run, oh boy oh boy, Astle plays a crazy shot,
no need for it at this stage really, charges down the track to a
good back of a length straight ball, swings across the line and
misses, passes over the stumps through to the keeper
24.4 Pollock to Astle, legbye: one run, shortish rising straight ball,
tries to pull from the crease but misses again, cops it on the
body as he swivels around, drops down in close on the leg side,
smartly called through for a quick single by Fleming
24.5 Pollock to Fleming, FOUR, what a shot! that's pure class from
Fleming, shows Astle how to play the pull, not that bad a ball
really, shortish rising delivery just outside off stump, swings it
away through midwicket with amazing ferocity but such a clean
stroke, not a slog of
any remote degree, wonderful to watch
24.6 Pollock to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
steers it away through cover point to the sweeper for an easy
single, again retaining the strike
End of over 25 (7 runs) New Zealand 148/1 (RR: 5.92 RRR: 159/25 = 6.36)
SM Pollock 7-0-31-0 - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 87* (93b 15x4) NJ Astle 21* (25b 1x4)
Lance Klusener on to bowl, replacing Ntini at the Golf Course End
25.1 Klusener to Fleming, no run, and a good start too, charging in from
the longer run, though has the keeper standing up to the stumps,
shortish rising ball angling across the left-hander outside off
stump, excellent bounce, beats Fleming trying to run it fine
25.2 Klusener to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
nudged down to the fielder at cover
25.3 Klusener to Fleming, no run, good tight shortish ball angling on
off stump, has Fleming well squared around, awkwardly defending
back to Klusener, another crowd cheer for a dot ball
25.4 Klusener to Fleming, FOUR, oh dear! shortish, straight ball,
Fleming powerfully pulls through forward square leg, Dippenaar
comes across to his right to field in the deep, but inexplicably
lets it through his legs, a shocking bit of fielding sees Fleming
into the 90s
25.5 Klusener to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
steered away out to deep point for another single late in the
over, farming the strike a fair bit, but then why wouldn't you
when you're playing as well as he is right now?
25.6 Klusener to Astle, one run, good short rising ball on off stump,
Astle gets a somewhat streaky inside edge well over the stumps,
down to fine leg
End of over 26 (6 runs) New Zealand 154/1 (RR: 5.92 RRR: 153/24 = 6.38)
L Klusener 1-0-6-0 - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 22* (26b 1x4) SP Fleming 92* (98b 16x4)
Pollock continues to rotate his bowlers, looking for an answer,
it's Donald back for the captain at the Corlett Drive End
26.1 Donald to Astle, one run, fullish ball on the legs, clipped away
through backward square leg, Ntini around from finer to field in
the deep
26.2 Donald to Fleming, no run, very full outside off stump, squeezed
away to Pollock at shortish cover
26.3 Donald to Fleming, FOUR, shot! Fleming in fearsome touch, digs in a
short ball, and the batsman just stands up tall and swings it away
over midwicket, miles forward of the deep square leg fielder
26.4 Donald to Fleming, one run, full and wide outside off stump,
strongly driven out to Dippenaar roaming around from deep cover,
this time fields cleanly and the crowd give him an ironic cheer
26.5 Donald to Astle, FOUR, full and straight, Astle joins in the part
and smacks it straight back down the pitch past the bowler, the
silence is defeaning from the crowd as it races down to the
boundary in front of the sightscreen
26.6 Donald to Astle, no run, tight shortish ball on off stump, chops it
down just forward of point, looking for a quick single but a
belated shout of no from Astle as the fielder swoops smartly on it
End of over 27 (10 runs) New Zealand 164/1 (RR: 6.07 RRR: 143/23 = 6.22)
AA Donald 5-0-42-1 (3w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 97* (101b 17x4) NJ Astle 27* (29b 2x4)
27.1 Klusener to Fleming, one run, shortish ball outside off stump,
stands tall and firmly strokes out out to the cover sweeper
27.2 Klusener to Astle, FOUR, shot! shortish ball just angling into the
legs, whipped away beautifully backward of square leg, splits the
two fielders in the deep wonderfully, the silence at the ground is
once more remarkable, deathly quiet
27.3 Klusener to Astle, no run, good fullish ball hurrying into the pads
on the angle, drops down at his feet
27.4 Klusener to Astle, no run, good slower ball outside off stump,
Astle waited for it and had a dabble, beaten through to the keeper
who juggles the take as it came back in sharply off the seam,
Klusener mixing it up very nicely here
27.5 Klusener to Astle, one run, angling in from wide on the crease,
shortish ball on off stump, forced away out to the cover sweeper
27.6 Klusener to Fleming, one run, fair length ball angling across the
left-hander outside off stump, steers a thick outside edge down to
third man to retain the striek
End of over 28 (7 runs) New Zealand 171/1 (RR: 6.11 RRR: 136/22 = 6.18)
L Klusener 2-0-13-0 - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 99* (103b 17x4) NJ Astle 32* (33b 3x4)
the South Africans all gather for a team talk, Pollock clearly
worried and trying to address the problem, get his XI acting
sharper in the field to try and stem the flow
another bowling change, Kallis back, replacing Donald at the
Corlett Drive End
28.1 Kallis to Fleming, no run, shortish ball on off stump, played down
to the man at cover, stuck on 99 for one ball more
28.2 Kallis to Fleming, legbye: one run, good sharp short rising ball,
tries to hook but gets tangled up, taken high on the body, drops
down in close on the off side, quick single taken, Fleming waits
for a signal but to his chagrin umpire Bucknor says it's a leg bye
28.3 Kallis to Astle, no run, shortish ball on off stump, defends from
the crease back on the leg side of the pitch
28.4 Kallis to Astle, no run, shortish, straight ball, tucked away to
midwicket, straight to the fielder, another cheer for a dot ball
28.5 Kallis to Astle, two runs, shortish ball outside off stump,
strongly cut into the ground, just behind point past the athletic
diving attempt of Gibbs, down to wide third man coming around to
field
28.6 Kallis to Astle, two runs, Astle advances down the track to a
fullish ball outside off stump, trying to stamp authority at the
end of the over, doesn't quite middle it, flies away over point,
pitching in the deep and overhauled inside the rope
End of over 29 (5 runs) New Zealand 176/1 (RR: 6.07 RRR: 131/21 = 6.24)
JH Kallis 5-0-33-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 99* (105b 17x4) NJ Astle 36* (37b 3x4)
29.1 Klusener to Fleming, no run, good length ball on off stump, squared
around on the crease in defence, playing it up towards mid off
29.2 Klusener to Fleming, no run, and again Fleming remains stuck on 99,
tight ball on off stump, taps it down into the covers in defence
29.3 Klusener to Fleming, no run, good bowling by Klusener! the pressure
on Fleming increases, shortish ball outside off stump, steers it
straight to point, just looking to push a single to get there but
more of the field is in to stop it, good cricket by South Africa
29.4 Klusener to Fleming, one run, and there it is! good length ball
angling away outside off stump, steers a thick outside edge down
to third man, 109 balls for the 100, 17x4, a superb knock, and
Fleming punches the air, he's absolutely stoked, but knows there's
still a big job left to
complete before his day can be ruled as truly successful
29.5 Klusener to Astle, one run, oh dear, sloppy stuff from South Africa
in the field again, shortish ball on off stump, pushed up towards
mid on in defence, Ntini darts across from mid off to field in
front of the other fielder, ends up stumbling over it, deflecting
it away from both
of them and a single is conceded! that's dismal at best
29.6 Klusener to Fleming, one run, fullish ball straying to leg stump,
clipped away down to deep backward square leg
End of over 30 (3 runs) New Zealand 179/1 (RR: 5.97 RRR: 128/20 = 6.40)
L Klusener 3-0-16-0 - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 101* (110b 17x4) NJ Astle 37* (38b 3x4)
30.1 Kallis to Fleming, two runs, strays to leg stump, clipped away
through backward square leg, quickly back for a second as Klusener
has to come in a fair way from the boundary to field, smart
running
30.2 Kallis to Fleming, one run, digs it in shorter, strongly pulls it
away out to deep square leg, straight to the fielder on the bounce
this time
30.3 Kallis to Astle, no run, fair length ball outside off stump, pats
it away straight to Gibbs at backward point
it starts raining again and the groundsmen gather near the covers,
the umpires come together and decide to haul the players off the
field
this makes for a very interesting situation, in some ways it may be
very good or very bad for both sides
New Zealand are on a roll, and may have wanted to continue, as they
felt they had this chase well under control, and an interruption
of any fair length may disrupt their flow
similarly, the South Africans may be keen for this break, as it
gives them a chance to regroup, rethink their strategies, and
knowing they get a second chance at the batsmen who have to play
themselves in again
however, it is a double-edged sword in this regard - we are allowed
30 minutes to be used up for delays, and we've already used up 25
of them in previous delays for rain and sightscreen/power
problems, so we're heading into over reduction territory very
shortly, and this means the Duckworth/Lewis method is introduced,
and given New Zealand's strong position resource-wise right now
(notably the wickets lost after 30.3 overs, but also the very
healthy run rate) means any adjustment will favour them,
and the longer the delay, the relatively easier the chase should
become, and if it's curtailed completely, New Zealand will be
ruled winners - they are currently 41 runs ahead of the par value
to give an idea of what sort of targets will be chased in a reduced
overs situation, New Zealand would need 273 in a 45-over chase
(that's 91 off the remaining 14.3 overs), 235 in a
40-over chase (that's 52 off the remaining 9.3 overs), 189 in a 35-
over chase (that's 7 off the remaning 4.3 overs), and if it's
reduced to a 34-over game or less, New Zealand will have already
passed the required target and would be ruled winners - so you can
see how quickly things change in favour of the chasing side the
more time is lost and each over that is taken away from the match
we'll keep you updated regularly as to the situation with the
weather conditions and the likely reduction in overs as news comes
to hand, please stick with us for what shapes as a thrilling
conclusion
Match State: Delay - Rain
it's still raining quite heavily at the Wanderers, the ground staff
have been running a rope around the outfield, towed by a tractor,
to try and even out the surface water to get it draining quicker,
but that'll be of only modest help while it continues
to bucket down, and with every passing minute, New Zealanders get
more excited at the prospect of a remarkable result
the umpires have a chat to the ground staff, they look keen to get
things underway quickly, we must have just under an hour left in
which to complete this match at this stage, the covers now just
starting to be dragged off
the tractor continues to do rounds of the outfield to even out the
surface water, and play is scheduled to restart in 20 minutes time
at 5:45pm local time (1545 GMT)
we have only 30 minutes left to play the remainder of the match it
seems, in which case there's likely to be only 8 more overs to
bowl, that is, a 38-over match with a target of 217 (that'd be 35
off the remaining 7.3 overs), unofficially
we've just heard official word, and in fact it's 11 overs lost, so
New Zealand will have a revised target based on a 39-over chase,
and official calculations make that target out to be 226 (that's
44 off the remaning 8.3 overs to win)
the players return to the field, New Zealand requiring a further 44
runs from 51 balls, the situation is set up for them, but team
shave blown it from not too dissimilar positions before
with the reduced number of overs, it means 4 bowlers can now only
bowl 8 overs each, and 1 bowler can bowl 7 overs
this means Pollock has only 1 left for himself, and Ntini has
bowled out, making South Africa's task even harder
30.4 Kallis to Astle, no run, good slower ball to start off with, good
length outside off stump, Astle pushes at it, beaten through to
the keeper
30.5 Kallis to Astle, no run, full and straight, firmly driven straight
back down the pitch, Kallis does well to field off his own
bowling, a cheer from the crowd for two dots in a row
30.6 Kallis to Astle, one run, shortish ball outside off stump, steered
away out to deep point to retain the strike
End of over 31 (4 runs) New Zealand 183/1 (RR: 5.90 RRR: 43/8 = 5.38)
JH Kallis 6-0-37-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
NJ Astle 38* (42b 3x4) SP Fleming 104* (112b 17x4)
it'll be Klusener to continue from the Golf Course End
31.1 Klusener to Astle, one run, fullish ball angling in from outside
off stump, has a bit of an ugly hit across the line, dragging it
down to long on
31.2 Klusener to Fleming, one run, very full and straight, squeezes it
off the toes in close square on the leg side, quickly hurry
through for a single as the field scrambles
31.3 Klusener to Astle, one run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
steered away just behind point, Gibbs makes a fine diving attempt
to his left, but only gets a partial hand on it, rolls away to
concede the single
31.4 Klusener to Fleming, FOUR, shot! great strike by Fleming to ease
any sort of pressure that might possibly build up, fullish ball on
off stump, swung away over wide midwicket, targeting the shorter
boundary and gap in the deep, beats a despairing diving attempt on
the rope,
brings up a 100 partnership for the 2nd wicket, what a time to do
it in
31.5 Klusener to Fleming, no run, shortish ball just outside off stump,
sweetly played away straight to Gibbs at point
31.6 Klusener to Fleming, no run, low full toss outside off stump,
firmly driven straight up to mid off on the circle edge, looking
for the single but Fleming yells for Astle to stay at home as it
was too well struck
End of over 32 (7 runs) New Zealand 190/1 (RR: 5.94 RRR: 36/7 = 5.14)
L Klusener 4-0-23-0 - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 40* (44b 3x4) SP Fleming 109* (116b 18x4)
32.1 Kallis to Astle, one run, Astle charges to a very full ball outside
off stump, chops an inside edge just fine of the keeper, hit into
the ground so it doesn't go far, fine leg in to field
32.2 Kallis to Fleming, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
straight up to Kirsten at wide mid off, tight quick single taken
with the shot, there's a shy at the bowler's end but misses as
Fleming hurries through
32.3 Kallis to Astle, no run, high full toss outside off stump, forced
strongly square, but plays it straight to Gibbs at point
32.4 Kallis to Astle, one run, very full outside off stump, squeezed
down to wide long off for an easy single
32.5 Kallis to Fleming, no run, good full ball on off stump, Fleming
looks to free the arms but is well cramped up, chops down on it,
digging it out to cover, another cheer for a dot ball
32.6 Kallis to Fleming, one run, very similar again, good yorker length
ball on off stump, chops it into the ground, towards cover, tight
quick single taken with the shot this time, another direct hit at
the bowler's end but the TV referral finds Fleming well safe again
End of over 33 (4 runs) New Zealand 194/1 (RR: 5.88 RRR: 32/6 = 5.33)
JH Kallis 7-0-41-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 111* (119b 18x4) NJ Astle 42* (47b 3x4)
33.1 Klusener to Fleming, two runs, advances to a full toss just outside
off stump, firmly strikes it through the gap at extra cover, Ntini
chases it down smartly from wide mid off, keeping them to just two
33.2 Klusener to Fleming, one run, straight full toss, timed nicely off
the legs out to Smith at wide long on for an easy single, 29 off
34 needed
33.3 Klusener to Astle, two runs, floats up a slower full toss outside
off stump, Astle mistimes it, dragging it straight down the ground
on the leg side, super running to hurry back for the second as
Ntini has to come in a long way from the deep due to the lack of
power on the shot,
fumbles it as he tries to pick it up on the run too
33.4 Klusener to Astle, FOUR, shot! poor ball, full and straying on to
his legs, clipped away through backward square leg, wonderfully
well timed and beats a despairing slide around the boundary,
brings up the New Zealand 200
33.5 Klusener to Astle, one run, oooh! very full and straight, driven
strongly straight back down the pitch, Klusener desperately
thrusts out a boot, changes its course from straight to down
towards long on
33.6 Klusener to Fleming, FOUR, great shot, very intelligent stuff from
Fleming, playing the knock of his life, and reaches his highest
score in ODIs with this one, low full toss outside off stump,
scooped up over extra cover, finds the gap perfectly
End of over 34 (14 runs) New Zealand 208/1 (RR: 6.12 RRR: 18/5 = 3.60)
L Klusener 5-0-37-0 - Golf Course End
NJ Astle 49* (50b 4x4) SP Fleming 118* (122b 19x4)
just 18 needed from 5 overs to win now, New Zealand on course for a
famous victory now
34.1 Kallis to Astle, no run, excellent yorker length ball, swinging
back in on off stump, Astle can only but dig it out back to the
bowler
34.2 Kallis to Astle, two runs, shot! and fielding! fullish, straight
ball, powerfully chips it straight back over the bowler's head,
Donald shows great commitment in the field, diving around from
long off, pulling it back inside the rope, and long on comes
across to throw it back in
Astle brings up his 50 in 52 balls, just 4x4, almost an anonymous
knock played in Fleming's shadow today
34.3 Kallis to Astle, one run, full outside off stump, strongly driven
down to widish long off, more fine work in the deep by Donald,
keeps them to just the single
34.4 Kallis to Fleming, two runs, high full toss on the legs, scooped
away over square leg, Boje around from deep backward square to
field
34.5 Kallis to Fleming, one run, Kallis digs in a short rising ball,
Fleming tries to pull, mistimes it somewhat, lobbing it away
safely towards vacant mid on for an easy single
34.6 Kallis to Astle, no run, very full outside off stump, forces it
straight to Pollock at extra cover
End of over 35 (6 runs) New Zealand 214/1 (RR: 6.11 RRR: 12/4 = 3.00)
JH Kallis 8-0-47-0 (1w) - Corlett Drive End
SP Fleming 121* (124b 19x4) NJ Astle 52* (54b 4x4)
12 needed from 24 balls, South Africa look completely disheartened,
this pair have come out and controlled things as they did before
the rain break
Pollock brings himself back on, for one last miraculously throw of
the dice
35.1 Pollock to Fleming, one run, full and straight, driven straight
down to Ntini at long on
35.2 Pollock to Astle, one run, very full and straight, driven off the
toes straight down to Klusener at long on, down to 10 needed off
22 balls
there are a lot of shaken, stirred and worried faces in the crowd,
not quite believing that the home nation, the second best ODI team
in the world at present, is on the verge of going into sudden
death mode so early in this World Cup
35.3 Pollock to Fleming, one run, very full and straight, digs it off
the toes towards midwicket, picking off another easy single, 9 off
21 needed
Pollock brings more of the field in belatedly, but it's surely too
late now
35.4 Pollock to Astle, no run, excellent yorker length ball angling back
in on the stumps, digs it out from the toes back to the bowler, 9
off 20 needed
35.5 Pollock to Astle, one run, full and straight on the toes, driven
nicely towards wide mid on, good sliding save made there by
Klusener as the single is taken, 8 off 19 needed
35.6 Pollock to Fleming, one run, full outside off stump, driven
straight out to deep cover point to retain the strike, 7 needed
off 3 overs to win
End of over 36 (5 runs) New Zealand 219/1 (RR: 6.08 RRR: 7/3 = 2.33)
SM Pollock 8-0-36-0 - Golf Course End
SP Fleming 124* (127b 19x4) NJ Astle 54* (57b 4x4)
Kallis, like Pollock and Ntini now, has bowled out his 8 overs
maximum, so it's Donald to return to the bowling crease from the
Corlett Drive End
36.1 Donald to Fleming, FOUR, shot! fullish ball outside off stump,
pounded away over extra cover, cracking shot to bring New Zealand
to within just 3 runs of victory, the crowd barely make a murmur
of noise, they are shocked and stunned
36.2 Donald to Fleming, no run, fullish ball on off stump, leans
forward, easing it into the off side, looking for a quick single
but it's not on
36.3 Donald to Fleming, no run, very full outside off stump, jams it
into the ground, played up towards mid off
36.4 Donald to Fleming, two runs, oh boy! fullish, slower ball outside
off stump, looks to loft it back down the ground, skies it as he
doesn't read the pace, lofting it high in the air, Pollock charges
back from mid on, attempting a miraculous diving catch but it's
just out of his
reach, that typifies South Africa's afternoon, it just hasn't gone
right, they take two and the scores are now level
36.5 Donald to Fleming, FOUR, and that's the match! full toss outside
off stump, smashed away through backward point, crashes into the
boundary hoardings and New Zealand complete a famous 9-wicket win
on the Duckworth/Lewis method
the entire New Zealand team come all the way down from their
enclosure on to the field to celebrate and congratulate the heroes
Fleming and Astle, particularly the captain, talk about leading
from the front, a brilliant knock
unquestionably the greatest he has ever played in an ODI, perhaps
in his entire international career spanning the best part of a
decade
a lot of the crowd remain, just standing there, looking, silently,
stunned, in awe, wondering if what they just witnessed really
happened
South Africa suddenly sit in a very dangerous position on the table
with just 1 win from 3 matches, and that was over lowly Kenya, and
with Pool B being incredibly tight, this loss and the thrilling
opening loss to the West Indies may come back to haunt
the New Zealand players circle around the ground, saluting the
crowd, there are some claps, but it's mostly rather quiet, there
is a solid little contingent of Kiwi fans though, and they got
more than their money's worth today
Fleming gritted down early in his knock, saw through the trickly
early overs from world class duo Pollock and Ntini, a fearsome
combination in recent times, and typically in such improbably
chases needing more than run-a-ball from the start of the chase
New Zealand have often lost a clutch of wickets going for a lot of
big money strokes, but today it was intelligent cricket at its
finest, Fleming pacing himself, picking off bad balls,
occasionally improvising to break up line and length bowlers'
rhythm,
and slowly but steadily Pollock's game plan fell apart as to how to
deal with it - every new bowler got collared early on, making it
impossible for them to settle, forcing more bowling changes, and
the constant right/left-hand batting combination at the
rotating the strike frequently at the crease just added to the
torment, and just as impressively, despite two lengthy
interruptions for rain/technical problems, the batsmen settled
back into their duties as if there was no stoppages at all
Boucher will want to forget this game in a hurry, after dropping
Fleming when on 53 with New Zealand 88/0 in the 14th over at that
stage, and though McMillan nicked one to him in the next over, it
was the wicket of Fleming which was the key today
New Zealand's World Cup may now be transformed from disaster to
potential power position in the space of one game (well, really
two games, after the must-win affair against the West Indies prior
too)
their likely forfeiture to Kenya means they're not in a position of
safety just yet, but will keenly await the outcome of other
matches yet to be played, and wouldn't mind seeing South Africa
beating Sri Lanka in a critical forthcoming game
amazingly, just a few days ago New Zealand had failed to win a game
on South African soil in 13 attempts, now they've won two on the
trot, and for the first time they've beaten South Africa on their
home turf for the first time in 9 attempts
and just their second win over South Africa in their last 19 ODIs
(3 no results included in that however)
Stephen Fleming has been announced as Man of the Match to nobody's
surprise, he'll remember that knock for many, many years to come
that concludes CricInfo's coverage of this remarkable encounter at
the Wanderers in Johannesburg, please join us for continuing
coverage of the World Cup, ball by ball to the very conclusion on
March 23
until then it's goodbye from us - any comments about our coverage
today can be sent to comms@cricinfo.com - all feedback is greatly
appreciated