CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, 18 February 2004 — A magnificent century by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming carried his side to a five-wicket win over South Africa in the One-Day International here yesterday.
It was a personal triumph for Fleming as he scored his second century in three one-day matches against the Proteas, and in the process became the first New Zealander to pass 6,000 runs in One-Day Internationals.
In a match where the toss was not crucial — South African skipper Graeme Smith batted by choice and Fleming would have bowled had the coin fallen his way — South Africa rose from a shaky start to post 253 for eight.
New Zealand reached the target with a towering six by all-rounder Chris Cairns on the first ball of the 46th over.
It was an impressive turn around by New Zealand to level the six-match series 1-1 after they were outplayed in the first match of the series in Auckland on Friday.
Fleming’s knock of 108 from 115 balls — including 10 fours and two sixes — came to an end in the 42nd over when he was caught by Andre Nel off the bowling of Makhaya Ntini to break a match-winning partnership with Craig McMillan. The pair put on 102 in 98 balls in what was effectively the difference between the two sides in the day-night match played in chilly conditions. McMillan, coming back into form, was unbeaten on 71 at the end.
New Zealand started their run chase at a brisk pace but with wickets falling at regular intervals, going from one for eight in the second over to three for 66 in the 12th.
Scott Styris helped stabilize proceedings sharing in a 58-run stand with Fleming before his dismissal brought McMillan into the fray and the South African attack was torn apart.
In particular they targeted the experienced bowler Shaun Pollock who was driven out of the attack after eight overs having conceded 42 runs, including a six over extra cover by McMillan. Pollock’s inability to contain the New Zealand onslaught rubbed off on Lance Klusener who went for 55 off eight overs, Nel went for 45 off 7.1 and Nicky Boje gave up 41 runs off seven overs.
Only Ntini with three for 45 from 10 overs had reason to feel satisfied.
Smith, who earlier in the week had been a doubtful starter for the game after being stricken with the flu, was the cornerstone of the South Africa innings, top scoring with 80.
But questions must be asked out his decision to bat first after rain had delayed the start of play by half an hour, and the conditions favored exaggerated seam movement by Daryl Tuffey and Kyle Mills.
South Africa were two for 28 in the 11th over before Smith and Boeta Dippenaar put the innings on track with 79 off 101 balls for the third wicket when Dippenaar was trapped leg before wicket by Daniel Vettori for 36.
Smith, who faced 109 deliveries for his 80, was finally removed by Cairns who had him caught by Tuffey on the third man boundary in the 43rd over. Cairns helped New Zealand pull the game back in the latter stages after South Africa were well poised at 181 for four after 40 overs, and in his best spell of the home season took two for 35 off eight overs with the key wickets of Smith and Mark Boucher.
