'We've got a lot to work on. We had some good passages of play, but lost too many sessions. We simply weren't good enough'. Those were the words of New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming as his side capitulated to a 190 run defeat at the hands of South Africa.
The poor weather followed the Kiwis from Wellington, but not their heart or fight. At least where batting was concerned. Over 3 hours of play were lost to rain and bad light, but New Zealand were bowled out cheaply twice, averaging just over 60 overs per innings.
South Africa won the toss and batted well on a fast paced wicket with plenty in it for the quick bowlers. Graeme Pollock excelled in his first game of the tournament, hitting 150 in 235 balls. Chris Cairns was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-87 as the Proteas were all out for 358 an hour before tea on the 2nd day. New Zealand got off to a dreadful start in their innings, falling to 55-4 with Shaun Pollock removing Bert Sutcliffe for 34 in a fiery spell. They reached 134-7 as bad light drew an early halt to day 2 and were bowled out for 170 early the following day. Mike Procter was brilliant once again, finishing with 4-25 from 12 overs.
New Zealands bowlers fought with some spirit as South Africa went from 109-4 to 192 all out. Chris Cairns bowled well once again, finishing with 8 wickets in the match and Jacques Kallis top scored for South Africa with 56.
New Zealands top order were blown away in the 2nd innings with Shaun Pollock removing the top 3, before skipper Stephen Fleming and Chris Cairns were involved in a farcical run out. They ended day 4 on 109-6 and were bowled out just after lunch on day 5 for 190. Richard Hadlee batted well for 47 and showed some fight, but it wasn't enough. Shaun Pollock finished with 5-44 as the South Africans win 2 out of 2.
Plenty for New Zealand to ponder then, as they go back home where they will face Sri Lanka. As for South Africa, they head off to play Pakistan.
South Africa won the toss
South Africa: GC Smith [c]; BA Richards; HM Amla; RG Pollock; JH Kallis; MJ Procter; MV Boucher [w]; SM Pollock; DW Steyn; VD Philander; HJ Tayfield
New Zealand: B Sutcliffe; KS Williamson; MD Crowe; SP Fleming [c]; JR Reid; BB McCullum [w]; CL Cairns; RJ Hadlee; DL Vettori; TA Boult; SE Bond
South Africa 1st Innings 358-10 (116.5 Ov)
RG Pollock 150, BA Richards 62, DW Steyn 41, CL Cairns 4-87, RJ Hadlee 2-48, SE Bond 2-49
New Zealand 1st Innings 170-10 (49.4 Ov)
BB McCullum 59, B Sutcliffe 34, JR Reid 26, MJ Procter 4-25, VD Philander 2-14, DW Steyn 2-36
South Africa 2nd Innings 192-10 (61.1 Ov)
JH Kallis 56, SM Pollock 29, CL Cairns 4-48, SE Bond 3-38, TA Boult 2-45
New Zealand 2nd Innings 190-10 (72.5 Ov)
RJ Hadlee 47, KS Williamson 32, CL Cairns 31, SM Pollock 5-44, VD Philander 3-38
South Africa win by 190 runs
Man of the Match: RG Pollock
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