De Villiers, pacers put South Africa 2-1 in front
A record-breaking innings by AB de Villiers set up South Africa’s comprehensive 159-run win in the third of five One-Day Internationals against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday (February 25) and gave them a 2-1 lead.
It was an emphatic response by South Africa, the No. 1 team in the International Cricket Council ODI team rankings, after losing to New Zealand in the second match on Wednesday in Christchurch.
De Villiers's 85, during which he became the fastest to 9000 ODI runs, lifted his side to 271 for 8, and then an outstanding bowling effort led by Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo ensured New Zealand never threatened to cross the target. Pretorius took 3 for 5 and Phehlukwayo finished with 2 for 12.
South Africa batted first, and while it had iffy moments, de Villiers had support from Quinton de Kock (68) to give the innings enough meat.
New Zealand's reply started disastrously with both openers gone inside three. Kane Williamson, on four, should have joined them when he spooned Wayne Parnell directly to first slip where Hashim Amla failed to grasp a regulation chance. But Williamson couldn’t capitalise as he struggled to 23 when Phehlukwayo bowled him and Ross Taylor (18) went lbw to Pretorius in the following over to have New Zealand 48 for 4 in the 16th over.
By the 20th over, the total was 58 for 6 and South Africa knew it had the game in the bag.
Colin de Grandhomme, who had the best bowling figures for New Zealand, also top scored with the bat. He was unbeaten on 34 when the innings folded in the 33rd over. Williamson was the only other batsman to get above 20.
In the first half, Amla was unable to settle and went early for seven. But de Kock had no problems as he posted his fifth successive ODI half-century. His 68 came off 70 deliveries and included two sixes and six fours.
Faf du Plessis offered some support with 36 but otherwise there was little resistance until de Villiers set up the big finish supported by Parnell, who added 35 at the tail.
De Grandhomme, who delivered his ten overs in one spell, rocked the South African innings with the wickets of de Kock and du Plessis in the space of four balls to finish with 2 for 40.