South Africa convincingly won the first ODI against New Zealand by 6 wickets. South Africa successfully chased the target of 231 runs with 11 balls remaining.
Match Report: New Zealand v South Africa;1st ODI, Mount Maunganui, October 21, 2014.
South Africa after winning the toss gave hosts the opportunity to set the target. New Zealand’s fragile batting was further tormented by South Africa’s all-round bowling attack. New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals with no serious partnership that could support the scorecard.
Daniel Vettori who made a comeback after July 2013 failed to impress with his performance. While getting out on duck he also failed to grab a single wicket. New Zealand was good in the beginning but 3 wickets falling successively on the score of 68 runs slowed down their pace.
New Zealand was at 156 for 9 when Luke Ronchi came for the team’s rescue. He single-handedly led the team to a decent total. He built up a 74-runs 10th wicket record partnership. Ronchi scored 99 runs & remained unlucky as he failed to make it up to a century.
Ronchi refused a second run on 98 to retain the strike and edged on the first delivery by Steyn in the next over. New Zealand’s whole team got out in the 46th over after scoring 230 runs. There was a balanced bowling show from South Africa as all bowlers contributed to their best in disturbing the hosts.
South Africa in its chase lost Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis quite earlier while Hashim Amla with his calm pace kept the game going. Boult began the defence by swinging the ball at pace and sent both de Kock and Plessis back to the dressing room.
Though the asking rate reached run a ball but it didn’t affect Amla, JP Duminy & AB de Villiers’ composed tempo. Amla’s wicket was quite a loss for South Africa but they didn’t panic and 139 runs 5th wicket partnership between de Villiers, 89, and Duminy, 58, led South Africa to the victory.
There were lesser boundaries due to tight spin attack by Vettori and Nathan McCullum while fielders were seen determined as they dived and stopped boundaries and singles. New Zealand was eager to win but failed as unperturbed approach of South African batsmen facilitated them in the victory.
Scorecard:
South Africa 236 for 4 (De Villiers 89*, Duminy 58*) beat New Zealand 230 (Ronchi 99, Tahir 2-37) by six wickets
Man of the Match: AB de Villiers (South Africa)