Unlucky No 13 for Proteas in Christchurch

Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Published Feb 22, 2017

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Second ODI

New Zealand: 289/4 (Taylor 102*, Neesham 71*, Williamson 69, Pretorius 2/40)

South Africa: 283/9 (De Kock 57, Pretorius 50, Boult 3/63)

New Zealand won by 6 runs, series levelled at 1-1

It was unlucky No 13 for South Africa at the Hagley Oval on Wednesday with the Proteas going down by six runs to New Zealand in the second ODI in Christchurch.

Having escaped from jail in the first ODI in Hamilton last Sunday, there was no such luck this time. South Africa were chasing a record 13th consecutive ODI victory and now have to be content with sharing the national all-time record with with Graeme Smith's team of 2005.

The Proteas chase fell away after being well set on 194/4 in the 37th over with the visitors requiring 96 runs in 13 overs at that stage. Even the late heroics from all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, who smashed a 27-ball maiden ODI half-century, to revive South Africa’s run chase could not haul the visitors out of the fire on this occasion.

South Africa simply lost too many wickets at crucial periods after Quinton de Kock (54), JP Duminy (34), AB de Villiers (45), David Miller (28) all managed starts but none were able to stay at the crease to provide Pretorius (50) and Phehlukwayo (29 not out) with the support they needed from a specialist batsman.

This was in complete contrast to the Black Caps’ innings with their senior batsmen taking the responsibility of batting through the 50 overs. Ross Taylor had kept the home side intact with a patient 102 not out (110 balls, 8x4) – his 17th ODI century – that enabled the home side to get close to 300 at one of the bigger grounds in New Zealand.

In the process Taylor went past former opening batsman Nathan Astle as New Zealand’s leading ODI century-maker and the country's quickest batsman to reach 6000 runs in the process.

More importantly, though, he shared two century partnerships with firstly, his captain Kane Williamson (69 off 75 balls), before ramping it up with Jimmy Neesham (71 not out off 57 balls) in an unbroken stand of 123 for the fifth wicket.

South Africa were without their new multi-million rand man Kagiso Rabada, who was held back due to “a niggle in his knee”. Rabada’s absence was sorely felt by the South Africans during the “death overs” with the Black Caps adding 51 runs in the final 5 overs.

Whereas the new-bowling during the home series against Sri Lankawas problematic, the backend of the innings has once again reared its head as the Proteas’ Achilles heel.

It was the second consecutive game here in New Zealand where the bowling unit succumbed under the pressure. Wayne Parnell searched for the block hole, and should have had Neesham caught by Faf du Plessis at mid-wicket in the 48th, but the left-armer too missed his lengths after the dropped chance.

New Zealand also had problem with their death bowling when Pretorius, in particular, was hauling out the big shots as he looked to chase down the total almost single-handedly.

Trent Boult conceded 15 runs in the 46th over and Tim Southee 13 runs in the 48th with both senior bowlers feeling the pressure by delivering a couple of wides each, but when it really mattered they both showed the young South African bowling unit how to hold your nerve when it matters most.

The seamers delivered 10 consecutive yorkers between them in the penultimate and last overs that ultimately saw Pretorius make a mistake which ensured New Zealand would be the team to endSouth Africa’s extended run of victories.

Independent Media

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