Apart from a middle order flurry from all-rounders Scott Styris and Chris Cairns, New Zealand struggled for runs against South Africa on an unhelpful pitch in the one-day international here on Friday. New Zealand reached 225 for eight in their 50 overs.
The bowlers relied on movement off the wicket and in the air, and the batsmen on a large measure of luck, as after 22 overs New Zealand were struggling at 79 for four.
Styris and Cairns then cranked up the pace, amassing 91 off 117 balls for the fifth wicket before Styris went for 60 and Cairns followed soon after for 58.
It was a welcome return to form for Cairns, whose powerful knock included five fours and a huge six to post his first half century in 10 innings.
South Africa put New Zealand into bat on a very slow pitch where captain Stephen Fleming slowly worked himself into form, including a six over long on, but on 30 he was run out responding late to a call from Michael Papps and falling victim to a brilliant direct hit by Makhaya Ntini.
It started a golden spell for the fast bowler who soon after claimed the wickets of Papps, to a brilliant one-handed catch by Mark Boucher, and Hamish Marshall soon after, to finish with 2-41 off 10 overs as New Zealand lost four for 34 in the space of 11 overs.
Shaun Pollock, just five short of 300 one-day dismissals, did not get the wickets he deserved but he kept the batsmen under control, conceding just 33 runs off his 10 overs. – Sapa-AFP