New Zealand registers their first ever ODI series win in South Africa after beating them by 27 runs in the 2nd ODI at Kimberley.

Kane Williamson was the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 145.

After a thrilling win in the 1st ODI New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was asked to bat first by South Africa’s stand-in captain Faf du Plessis. It was young Kane Williamson’s show all the way as he went on to score his career best of 145 (136). Losing opener Martin Guptill for second consecutive duck Kane Williamson walked when the score was 0-1 and remained unbeaten till the final ball of the 50th over. He along with Grant Elliott recorded a 127 run stand and raised the team score to 150. South African pacer Rory Kleinveldt broke the partnership and created a big breakthrough by picking up the wicket of Elliott when he was just 2 runs short of a well deserved half century. McCullum played some fine shots but didn’t last long, scoring just 17 runs. Solid batting from Williamson and some last over huge blows from Kyle Mills raised the score to 279. The target for South Africa to chase and level the series was 280.

Kleinveldt and Tsotsobe both picked 2 wickets and were economical too whereas Morne Morkel was expensive but picked up 3 wickets.

Graeme Smith and Quinton de Kock gave a good start but Quinton de Knock couldn’t carry the momentum as he got out on 25. Colin Ingram walked in and played a good hand along with Graeme Smith and took the game to 165-1 in 30 overs. It was almost a gettable score from there on, but then things went bad for South Africa. When it was 115 required to win in 120 balls Graeme Smith was run out by Nathan McCullum in a very crucial moment which was really the turning point of this match. Followed by Faf du Plessis who scored just 2 who was also run out for 2 and the fielder was Nathan McCullum again. Set batsmen Colin Ingram made a fighting 79 and got out off Nathan McCullum caught by Watling.  Farhaan Behardien added 30 runs to the board and was also run-out as well. Apart from them no one could score big and take the team to chase the target. The New Zealand fielders were really exceptional and as many as 5 run outs were taken in the day. Finally South Africa were all out for 252 in the last over (50th) and lost the match by 27 runs. New Zealand thereby won the match and the series (2-0).

This is the first series win for New Zealand in any format. The Kiwi fans have something to cheer up with great joy as their team has registered a historical series win. Kane Williamson was the Man of the Match for his unbeaten 145. Earlier in the day, James Franklin played his 100th ODI Match and Morne Morkel picked up his 100th wicket in ODIs as well. With one more game to go in this ODI series, let’s see that if the Kiwis can whitewash the Proteas!

Tags: Cricket, Kimberley, Kiwis, New Zealand, ODI Series, Proteas, South Africa