NZ vs SA: crunch time.

[Rachael]

Start of play must be imminent... and the first half hour should be riveting: the match is poised on a knife edge... with everything to play for.

South Africa 2nd innings (target: 234 runs) R M B 4 6
*GC Smith not out 46 120 93 5 0
HH Gibbs c Fleming b Martin 16 19 12 2 1
JA Rudolph b Martin 0 9 8 0 0
JH Kallis lbw b Oram 1 11 9 0 0
G Kirsten not out 19 78 58 2 0
Extras 0
Total (3 wickets, 30 overs, 120 mins) 82

To Bat: M van Jaarsveld, +MV Boucher, SM Pollock, N Boje,
M Ntini, A Nel.

FoW: 1-29 (Gibbs, 4.4 ov), 2-31 (Rudolph, 6.6 ov),
3-36 (Kallis, 9.3 ov).

Bowling O M R W
Martin 8 1 30 2
Mason 4 1 21 0
Oram 5 2 6 1
Cairns 5 1 8 0
Vettori 8 1 17 0

[Rachael]

Early start for Vettori as South Africa get off with a bit of a flyer...

[Rachael]

SA need 234.. and they are half way there for the loss of just 3 wickets: Smith going strong... Kirsten looking well set... and little sign from the text commentary that much is about to change.

Looking ominous for SA.

End of over 47 (5 runs) South Africa 121/3 (113 more runs req)
DL Vettori 14-1-30-0 - Scoreboard End
GC Smith 73* (142b 8x4) G Kirsten 29* (111b 2x4)

[Rachael]

Morning session belonged entirely to South Africa... making the result something of a formality. Curious lack of penetration from the bowlers or great batting? Not sure yet.

South Africa 2nd innings (target: 234 runs) R M B 4 6
*GC Smith not out 125 295 203 17 0
HH Gibbs c Fleming b Martin 16 19 12 2 1
JA Rudolph b Martin 0 9 8 0 0
JH Kallis lbw b Oram 1 11 9 0 0
G Kirsten lbw b Styris 76 227 180 11 0
M van Jaarsveld not out 13 25 23 2 0
Extras (lb 2, nb 1) 3
Total (4 wickets, 72.2 overs, 295 mins) 234

DNB: +MV Boucher, SM Pollock, N Boje, M Ntini, A Nel.

FoW: 1-29 (Gibbs, 4.4 ov), 2-31 (Rudolph, 6.6 ov),
3-36 (Kallis, 9.3 ov), 4-207 (Kirsten, 65.5 ov).

Bowling O M R W
Martin 18.2 2 65 2
Mason 6 1 32 0
Oram 11 3 23 1
Cairns 10 2 19 0 (1nb)
Vettori 18 2 53 0
Styris 9 1 40 1

[Mike]

Yes, SA wrapped it up just after Lunch to square the 3-match series. Smith got MoM. Kirsten, in his last match, shared a 4th wicket record partnership with Smith. NZ's next series is against ENG in May while SA have to face the music against SL in August.

[NZBeth]

Originally Posted by Mike

Yes, SA wrapped it up just after Lunch to square the 3-match series. Smith got MoM. Kirsten, in his last match, shared a 4th wicket record partnership with Smith. NZ's next series is against ENG in May while SA have to face the music against SL in August.

Indeed, SA will be coming up against Sri Lanka late July and have a hectic schedule ahead of them including the highly debated tour to India where it is unknown if they will go following reports that Boje and Gibbs will be arrested dare they set foot on Indian soil. The hard line I think. Anyway, New Zealand out-played SA during the last tour despite the results. It was clear who dominated. Unfortunately they haven't been able to replicate that play during their current tour of England where they are being swept off their feet by consistent effective bowling and have not been able to produce. Chris Cairns last Test and not an impressive one at all. Probably due to the long list of casualties including Oram and Vettori. Anyway, heads up boys!