South Africa A snatched a thrilling four-run victory in the third and final Standard Bank one-day cricket match at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Sunday, to win the series 3-0.
New Zealand A, on 272 for four after 47 overs, appeared to have victory in sight, but South Africa A struck back in the last three overs to have the visitors all out for 292, with five balls in hand.
South Africa got off to a disastrous start, losing the wickets of Morne van Wyk (0) and Andrew Hall (8) for just 15 runs, but a fine 113 off off 131 balls by Boeta Dippenaar helped the home side to a very challenging total of 296 for six wickets.
His fourth limited overs century included 13 fours and two sixes, and he also passed the 4 000-run mark. It was his highest one-day score.
Sparks flew when Justin Kemp joined Dippenaar in the middle, and the two shared a partnership of 90 off 60 balls. Kemp’s 14th limited overs half-century came off 34 balls. He ended the innings undefeated on 79 off 45 balls, including eight fours and four sixes.
New Zealand set about their task with determination from the start and were ahead for most of their innings. The main contributor was Peter Fulton, who made 98 at virtually a run a ball.
His departure in the 48th over, bowled by Alfonso Thomas, signalled the start of the Kiwis demise, as wickets just tumbled.
Hall was responsible for three of the last wickets. Ross Taylor was given out lbw for one; Hall bowled Tama Canning for a duck with the next ball, and then ran out Kerry Walmsley for five.
With two wickets in hand and needing seven runs, New Zealand still appeared to have victory in sight, but poor calling resulted in Jeetan Patel being run-out without scoring.
Brought on to bowl the last over, Thomas received his second warning for a dangerous high ball and was pulled out of the attack. Morkel, brought in to finish the over, bowled Chris Martin with his first delivery to give South Africa victory.
Dippenaar was named man of the match and Kemp named man of the series. – Sapa