South Africa back on track in Champions Trophy

Article Published: Friday 25 September 2009
Written by: Administrator
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South Africa got their ICC Champions Trophy campaign back on track on Thursday with a convincing five wicket victory over New Zealand at SuperSport Park.

Heroes of the victory were Wayne Parnell, who took five wickets, and AB de Villiers, who registered his 19th one-day international half century. Graeme Smith won the toss once again and sent New Zealand in to bat on a slightly overcast day.

South Africa kept the Black Caps in check throughout their innings and bowled them out for 214 in the 48th over. The Proteas made 217 for five with 53 balls to spare.

Parnell made his initial breakthrough in the fourth over, when big-hitting Jess Ryder was caught at mid wicket by a leaping Roelof van der Merwe for eight, and Martin Guptill was Parnell's next victim, caught at third man by Hashim Amla for 21.

Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor put on 38 together before their partnership was ended by Johan Botha, when McCullum, who had begun to look menacing, top-edged a delivery straight to JP Duminy at short fine leg for 44.

He was replaced by South African-born Grant Elliott, who shared a valuable fourth wicket stand of 71 before Elliott was bowled by Roelof van der Merwe for 39.

Neil Broom faced just four balls before he was given out leg before wicket to Van der Merwe for one.

Parnell came back into the attack and got rid of Gareth Hopkins, who tried to loft the ball but was caught at mid-off by Duminy, and Parnell's opening partner, Dale Steyn, also got into the act with Kyle Mills caught at point by AB de Villiers without scoring.

New Zealand delayed taking the batting powerplay until the 44th over, and it cost them dearly, with four wickets falling. Parnell took two from three deliveries, dismissing Ross Taylor lbw for 72 and Daryl Tuffey, who was caught by Duminy for four, and Steyn wrapped up the innings when De Villiers caught Shane Bond for a duck. Captain Daniel Vettori was not out on one.

South Africa never appeared in any trouble in their reply, although Graeme Smith fell early, caught by Vettori off Tuffey for seven. It was a soft dismissal, and Smith slashed at the grass with his bat in frustration before trudging back to the dressing-room.

Amla and Jacques Kallis put on 52 for the second wicket before Kallis was caught by wicketkeeper McCullum for 36.

Amla was given out leg before wicket to Vettori for 38, and JP Duminy was caught by McCullum off Mills for 11. Mark Boucher and De Villiers shared a stand of 42 before Boucher was caught by McCullum to give Tuffey his first wicket on his return to international cricket.

Boucher made 28 at a run a ball. De Villiers was joined by Albie Morkel and the two Titans players steered South Africa safely home with 53 balls to spare. Smith said afterwards that he was pleased with the team's performance.

"I never wanted to use our rustiness as an excuse (for losing against Sri Lanka on Tuesday), but today was more the level we expect of each other and that we've got used to playing at," he said. "The bowlers had first go at it again today and really set things up beautifully.

"They bowled with the intensity we've been looking for, they hit the right areas, and they created a lot of pressure. It's a credit to them, the way they've bounced back. "It was a good clinical performance today and that's something we've got used to at this level."

Vettori said he believed the loss of Elliott, just before New Zealand were about to take the batting powerplay, was the turning point for the Black Caps. "I think it meant the difference between making more than 250 and the 214 that we did make," he said.

"Crucial moments like that normally determine (the outcome of) a one-day international, and unfortunately it went South Africa's way today." South Africa's final group match is against England in Centurion on Sunday afternoon.

New Zealand take on Sri Lanka at the Wanderers in Johannesburg the same day, while England and Sri Lanka meet at the Wanderers on Friday.