South Africa thrash NZ by 8 wkts in first final
South Africa continued their
one-day domination of New Zealand in Melbourne on Wednesday with a crushing
eight-wicket win in the opening final of the tri-nations
series.
In a clash watched by only 20,691 fans following
Australia's shock elimination from the series, South Africa
romped to victory with 191 for two with 29 balls to spare in
reply to New Zealand's paltry 190.
It was South Africa's 17th win over New Zealand in 18
one-day clashes between the countries and could be enough to
decide the best-of-three series.
The second and third finals scheduled for the Sydney
Cricket Ground on Friday and Sunday remain in doubt because
of unseasonal rain in New South Wales.
Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini was South Africa's match-winner
with his second five-wicket haul in a one-day international.
He was on a hat-trick at one stage.
Ntini, bowling with great pace and hostility, snapped up
5 for 31 from 10 overs after snaring Dion Nash and Adam
Parore with successive balls in the 44th over.
South Africa's top order took few risks in reaching their
victory from 45.1 overs.
Boeta Dippenaar, who survived a caught behind appeal on
six, top scored with an unbeaten 79. He shared a 139-run
partnership for the third wicket with Jacques Kallis, who was
59 not out.
The Kiwis believed paceman Chris Cairns had Dippenaar
caught behind at the start of the 17th over, but umpire Daryl
Harper put a hand to his ear, indicating he heard no snick.
Cairns exchanged words with Dippenaar when he reached 50,
apparently indicating he felt the South African number four
should have walked.
Officials said Cairns was later ordered to appear before
match referee Hanumant Singh of India on what was believed to
be a dissent charge.
South African openers Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten
gave their side a solid start, taking the score to 51 after
13 overs before Craig McMillan, in his follow-through,
deflected the ball on to the stumps at the non-striker's end
and had Kirsten run out.
McMillan top-scored for New Zealand with 73 and shared in
a 109-run partnership for the third wicket with captain
Stephen Fleming, who made 50 after winning the toss.
But tail-ender Andre Adams was the only other New Zealand
batsman to reach double figures, hitting 13 off 15 balls.
Thousands of fans stayed away after the host nation was
knocked out of the annual contest's showdown for only the
third time in more than 20 years.
Detailed scorecard | Images
Mail Cricket Editor