AB de Villiers leads South Africa to 62-run win over New Zealand
AB de Villiers roared back to form with a brisk fifty. (Source: AP)
AB de Villiers returned to form with a brisk half-century which helped South Africa to complete a 62-run win and a 2-1 series victory over New Zealand on Wednesday.
Captain De Villiers blasted 64 from 48 balls to lead the Proteas to 283 for seven in their 50 overs.
New Zealand battled to keep up with the scoring rate but they succumbed under pressure and were 221 all out in the final over of their innings.
- Dale & Faf show seals Aussie fate
Twin tons in vain as first Test ends in exciting draw at the Wanderers
Ton-up AB de Villiers anchors South Africa to 4-1 series win
AB de Villiers smashes ton as SAfrica levels series
AB guides hosts to easy victory over New Zealand
AB guides hosts to easy victory over New Zealand
De Villiers had been on a lean run in the series, but for once came to the crease with a platform laid after openers Hashim Amla (44) and Morne van Wyk (58) put on 89 for the first wicket.
The world’s top-ranked batsman in this format put on another 86 runs for the fourth wicket with David Miller (36), but was bowled by Doug Bracewell just as he began to accelerate at the start of the final 10 overs of the innings.
While de Villiers was at the crease, South Africa appeared to be on target to post a 300 plus total but his departure left Farhaan Behardien to get them close to that figure as he produced a neat 40 from 28 balls.
Seamer Ben Wheeler took three wickets for the tourists, but they came at some cost as he went for 71 in his 10 overs.
New Zealand looked good in reply when they went past 100 for the loss of just Martin Guptill (10) but as they tried to accelerate the scoring midway through the innings, wickets fell at regular intervals.
Key batsman Kane Williamson (39) was bowled by Imran Tahir, while opener Tom Latham (54) ran himself out attempting a tight second run. From there it was a procession.
Proteas all-rounder David Wiese registered career best bowling figures of three for 58, while young speedster Kagiso Rabada was impressive in returning two for 33 in his 10 overs.
