South Africa surge to top of standings

South Africa defeated New Zealand by 26 runs on Tuesday to surge to the top of the standings in the triangular one-day series.

Veteran opener Gary Kirsten, named man-of-the-match, made a typically gritty 97 and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher smashed an unbeaten 30 off 19 balls in South Africa's 257 for seven at Bellerive Oval after captain Shaun Pollock had won the toss and batted first.

New Zealand replied with 231 for nine after their run chase disintegrated following the departure of captain Stephen Fleming for 85 in the 38th over at 170 for four.

South Africa have scored eight points from their two matches while New Zealand have four points after a win and a loss.

Australia opened the series with losses to both teams in Melbourne last week.

The New Zealanders lost seven wickets for 50 runs on Tuesday before wicketkeeper Adam Parore (21 not out) and fast bowler Shane Bond (17 not out) added 29 for the last wicket.

Fleming came to the crease at 10 for one in the fourth over and added 61 for the second wicket with Lou Vincent (23) and 81 in 100 balls for the third wicket with Craig McMillan (36).

Allan Donald, who finished with figures of three for 40, removed opener Mark Richardson caught at third man for eight.

The fast bowler then returned to take the wickets of tailenders Daniel Vettori, for no score, and James Franklin, for two, in the 44th and 46th overs.

SEVERE TEST
Fellow paceman Makhaya Ntini was the only bowler to severely test the otherwise untroubled Fleming and claimed the wickets of New Zealand opener Lou Vincent and all-rounder Chris Cairns, for 11, to end up with a return of two for 36.

Earlier, South Africa laid a solid platform to the innings with Kirsten sharing partnerships of 82 with fellow opener Herschelle Gibbs (36) and 75 for the second wicket with Boeta Dippenaar (37).

But, from 157 for one, they then lost four wickets for 23 runs before Boucher hammered two sixes in the final over of the innings, which cost Bond 19 runs.

The left-handed Kirsten was run out in the 41st over, following a mix-up with Neil McKenzie, to leave South Africa at 194 for four.

McKenzie (22), Klusener (5) and Pollock (0) quickly followed before Boucher and Justin Kemp (10 not out) added 40 runs in less than five overs for the unbroken eighth wicket.

Boucher was fortunate, though, to survive a confident appeal for caught and bowled off Cairns in the 49th over when television replays indicated the catch was clean.

The batsman spooned the ball back to Cairns but the all-rounder's appeal was turned down.

Australia play New Zealand in Sydney on Thursday in the fourth match of the triangular series.

Detailed scorecard

Also read:
- 2nd ODI: South Africa make it double agony for Australia
- 1st ODI: Kiwis score upset victory over Australia

Scorecard: 2nd ODI | 1st ODI

Images: 2nd ODI | 1st ODI

Mail Cricket Editor