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Kiwis win against odds

Wednesday, February 19 2003

The Wanderers in Johannesburg was the venue for this pivotal game, with two of the more fancied teams entering the world cup seeing their future hang in the balance.

Hosts South Africa, clearly the second strongest nation in world cricket lost their opening encounter to a rejuvanated West Indian outfit, despite some late fireworks from Lance Klusener. They followed that up with a token win over Kenya but still needed a win here to get themselves into a comfortable position regarding qualification for the super sixes.

New Zealand, more difficult to place but well fancied to reach the semi finals again, certainly on current form, lost their first game to Sri Lanka, most notably the batting of Sanath Jayasuriya and Hashan Tillekeratne, with Scott Styris failing to single-handedly drag the Kiwis over the finishing line. With New Zealand forfeiting their fixture against the Kenyans, an apparent banker, they desperately needed to beat one of South Africa and West Indies, preferably both. And that is exactly what they have now done.

Choosing to bat first on a good track, South Africa could have lost Graeme Smith to the third delivery of the innings but it was ruled a no ball. The openers soon set about building a platform, Herschelle Gibbs partnered with Graeme Smith, who replaced the unfortunately injured Jonty Rhodes. The partnership was worth 60 inside 10 overs when Smith edged one off Bond to be caught behind by Brendon McCullum for 23. Nicky Boje played well for 29 before missing a straight one from Styris but by that stage South Africa had raced to 126 in just 23 overs and a big score loomed.

Jacques Kallis merely supported Gibbs, which was all that was needed, and another 50 stand materialised before Daniel Vettori came back into the attack and picked up Kallis with his first delivery for 33. All the while Herschelle Gibbs was ruthlessly punishing the bowling, good and bad, with strokes to all areas, though predominantly on the leg side. He reached his 12th one day international century off 121 balls and Mark Boucher played the ultimate bit part as Gibbs cut loose upon reaching three figures.

Boucher scored just 10 runs in a partnership worth exactly 50 and coming off a mere 29 balls. Boucher fell to Oram and in his next over the same bowler finally accounted for the now rampant Gibbs (143, 141 balls, 19x4, 3x6) as he went for one heave too many, just as he was in sight of his highest score of 153. He had scored 43 from 20 since passing 100.

It's hard to imagine but that was almost bad news for New Zealand. Gibbs was struggling with cramp by this stage and running between the wickets had become sluggish, yet the departure of Gibbs merely resulted in the world cup's favourite son Lance Klusener warming up. 'Zulu' finished with 33 not out from just 21 balls, with four 4s and a six. After a horrid time the strong all rounder is finally back on form, and South Africa finished with an imposing 306-6.

At this stage New Zealand were dejected. The were down and looked to be heading out of the tournament. At times like that you need something special, maybe the captain to take charge and lead from the front. Never will a better example be witnessed.

Stephen Fleming, considered to be arguably the best leader in world cricket, but also not making enough big scores when batting took centre stage. Opening the batting due to a shortage of specialists, and now partnered by Craig McMillan in an experiment which allows Nathan Astle to come in and play with more freedom at number three, the left hander was initialy cautious.

As the overs passed however, Fleming became more and more positive. McMillan scored 25 from 32 balls, hardly sluggish, yet was overshadowed by Fleming, remnant of Gibbs in the way he batted. The opening stand was worth 87, Fleming outscoring McMillan two to one, and bringing up his half century from 47 balls. Astle joined Fleming, who after a short delay for rain decided to get a move on in case the rain returned with more permanance.

The Kiwis reached three figures from 97 balls and were well ahead of the D/L calculations throughout. Landmarks fell at regular intervals - Fleming passing his highest world cup score when he reached 70, followed at 86 by his best knock against South Africa. When more rain came at 182-1 (30.2), the innings was reduced to 39 overs and the target 226. New Zealand were cruising and 44 runs from 52 balls with 9 wickets in hand is not much of a challenge when you are in the form of your life.

Fleming finished with his career best 134 not out (132 balls, 21x4), and along with Astle, whose 54* from just 57 went almost unnoticed had led his side almost beyond doubt into the super six stages. New Zealand are in a strong position now. Even forfeiting the match with Kenya, near certain victories over novices Canada and a sorry Bangladesh will certainly carry them on to three more fixtures and a shot at the knockout stages.

South Africa meanwhile, among the favourites when the tournament commenced are now under some real pressure.They should beat Canada and Bangladesh but also must overcome Sri Lanka to be in with any chance. The hosts have never won a world cup, and neither have the pre-tournament favourites. New Zealand meet neither criteria and on this form must be very confident of their chances.

Posted by Barrie