SA clinches series with six-wicket win

South Africa skittled New Zealand out for 149 en route to a comfortable victory in the fifth One-Day International in Auckland to clinch the series.

Published : Mar 04, 2017 09:15 IST

Faf du Plessis scored a half-century in South Africa's chase of 150.
Faf du Plessis scored a half-century in South Africa's chase of 150.
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Faf du Plessis scored a half-century in South Africa's chase of 150.

Faf du Plessis made a successful review of an lbw decision against him before guiding South Africa to a series-clinching six-wicket victory in the fifth and final one-dayer against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Du Plessis, who was originally given out on 27 when he was trapped in front by Jeetan Patel but had the decision overturned on review, finished unbeaten on 51 as South Africa made 150 for 4 after it bowled the host out for a paltry 149 in 41.1 overs. David Miller produced a counter-attacking 45 not out to help the Test captain ensure a 3-2 series victory, which vaulted it back to the top of the one-day rankings.

New Zealand had threatened to make the run chase much more difficult than it should have been, reducing the visitor to 88 for 4 when it captured the important wicket of AB de Villiers, who was caught behind by Luke Ronchi for 23.

Du Plessis and Miller, however, shook off some nervous moments with a 62-run partnership that the left-handed Miller dominated with his 45. New Zealand was never able to settle against a superb South African bowling attack, which created consistent pressure from both ends with a string of dot balls that was supported by strong work in the field.

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Kagiso Rabada started the rot early when he bowled Martin Guptill for four, ensuring there would be no repeat of the right hander's match-winning 180 not out in the fourth game in Hamilton on Wednesday.

From then on it was a constant stream of New Zealand batsmen heading back to the pavilion, with six falling for single figures. The only resistance came from opening batsman Dean Brownlie (24) and the middle order of Jimmy Neesham (24), Mitchell Santner (24) and Colin de Grandhomme (32), who was the last man out on the first ball of the 42nd over.

Rabada, who was generating good bounce off a length and troubled the batsmen as the ball hurried through, finished with 3 for 25 from 7.1 overs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who conceded just 10 runs from his first seven overs, finished with 2 for 14 from his full complement. The two sides now head to Dunedin for the first match of the three-Test series, starting on March 8.

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