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Ross Taylor, Trent Boult shine in New Zealand’s 6-run victory over South Africa

New Zealand veteran Ross Taylor was adjudged Man of the Match for unbeaten 102 which was also his historic 17th ODI century in the first innings which helped his side pummel to 289.

Despite conceding more than 6 RPO, Trent Boult was undoubtedly the best bowler for New Zealand © Getty Images
Despite conceding more than 6 RPO, Trent Boult was undoubtedly the best bowler for New Zealand © Getty Images

New Zealand defeated South Africa by 6 runs in yet another nail-biter in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Christchurch. Set 290, South Africa finished at 283 for 9 despite Dwaine Pretorius’ 26-ball 50, thus bringing an end to South Africa’s 12-match winning streak over the Proteas winning streak of12 ODIs in a row. Ross Taylor was named Man of the Match for unbeaten 102 — his 17th ODI hundred, the most by any New Zealand batsman. During the innings Taylor also became the fourth New Zealand batsman (after Stephen Fleming, Nathan Astle and Brendon McCullum). Taylor took New Zealand to 289, with support from Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham. The New Zealand bowling was led by Trent Boult, who not only took 3 for 63, but also sealed the match by conceding 5 off the penultimate over and dismissing Pretorius off the last ball of the last over. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd ODI

Chasing 290, South Africa got off to a disappointing with Hashim Amla (10) departing in 4th over with just 22 runs on the board. Faf du Plessis fell for 11, and at 51 for 2 in the 11th over things did not look too good. However, Quinton de Kock blasted a quick 57, and was supported by JP Duminy, whom AB de Villiers promoted above himself. Williamson made rapid changes, introducing Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner from both ends. The spinners did not get help from the wicket, but Williamson risked it all, asking his spinners to flight the ball and bowl slower than usual.

This plan worked immediately as Duminy (34) tried to go for a big shot against Santner. He was beaten in flight, could not reach to the pitch of the ball and missed it completely; Tom Latham did the rest, ending a 57-run stand. At the other end, de Kock, in a bid to up the ante, danced down the track against Boult and hit straight to Neesham at deep square-leg.

South Africa were 124 for 4 with de Villiers and David Miller at the crease. They needed 166 at this stage. The two kept the scoreboard moving, and more importantly, kept wickets in hand, adding 68 in 72 balls before Miller edged Sodhi to Latham for 28. Boult struck almost immediately, getting de Villiers to edge a slower delivery to Latham. Neither Chris Morris nor Wayne Parnell lasted, and the South Africa were left to chase 76 with 2 wickets in hand.

Pretorius built a stand with Andile Phehlukwayo, batting at least two slots down the order than he should have. Runs came quickly, with Phehlukwayo taking comfortable singles as Pretorius went for the kill. With 33 to be scored off the last 3 overs, Pretorius smashed two boundaries, bringing the target down to 18 from 12.

Then Boult unleashed a dream over, conceding a single run off the first two balls to Phehlukwayo. With 17 to score from 10, Pretorius ran another single — perhaps an error — and got the strike back only when South Africa needed 13 from 7 balls. With no option but to go for the slog, Pretorius gave it all and lost his off-stump.

Phehlukwayo had to keep strike throughout Southee’s last over. Unfortunately for him, Southee bowled four consecutive yorkers, and Phehlukwayo kept denying singles. He got boundaries off the last two balls, but they came too late in the day.

New Zealand have now levelled the series 1-1 in the 5-match series. This was the only day game of the series; the next match will be played on Saturday, February 25, Wellington.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 289 for 4 in 50 overs (Kane Williamson 69, Ross Taylor 102*, Jimmy Neesham 71*; Dwaine Pretorius 2 for 40) beat South Africa 283 for 9 in 50 overs (Quinton de Kock 57, AB de Villiers 45, Dwaine Pretorius 50; Trent Boult 3 for 63, Mitchell Santner 2 for 46) by 6 runs.

Man of the Match: Ross Taylor.

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