The countdown to the World Cup has begun. Every team will be looking to get their squad right before naming the final 15. The 3-match ODI series will help both New Zealand and South Africa. The Blackcaps will be tested against a quality side like the Proteas. The home team is without some of their key players, the ones missing are Ross Taylor (out due to a calf strain) and Kane Williamson. However, they have the experienced Daniel Vettori returning to international cricket after a gap of 16 months.
South Africa will look to get off to a perfect start © Cricbuzz
South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. New Zealand welcomed back former captain Dan Vettori to the playing XI.
Philander gave RSA an early breakthrough as he had Jimmy Neesham out caught behind for 16 in the 6th over. He followed that up soon after with the wicket of Neesham's partner in the same fashion. Martin Guptill was out for 5 off 29 balls as the hosts slipped to 35/2 in the 10th over.
Dean Brownlie and Brendon McCullum were involved in a pay 33-run stand before leg-spinner Imran Tahir struck in his second over to send back the former for 24. It was Quinton de Kock's third catch of the innings.
The hosts found themselves in further trouble soon after as Brendon McCullum was out caught trying to hook, and holed out to Imran Tahir. Morkel struck again with his next ball, as Corey Anderson was out bowled. NZ had slumped to a sorry 68/5 in the 16th over.
Tom Latham and Luke Ronchi were involved in a fighting stand as New Zealand reached the 100-run mark without any further setbacks. Latham, in particular, looked in good touch as he slammed Ryan McLaren for three fours in one over.
Rochi, too, showed he was not too far behind Latham as he smashed McLaren for three fours off his next over, helping New Zealand realize their first 50-run stand of the innings.
Vernon Philander of South Africa celebrates the wicket of James Neesham of New Zealand during the One Day International match between New Zealand and South Africa at Bay Oval on October 21, 2014 in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. ©Reuters
However, just when it looked like New Zealand will carry on and get to a decent score JP Duminy struck to have Latham out stumped for 29. Imran Tahir struck in his next over, as he had Daniel Vettori out LBW for a duck on his international comeback to leave NZ reeling at 134/7.
Nathan McCullum stay at the crease only lasted 16 balls, as he was out caught brilliantly by de Kock to leave the hosts at 148/8.
Luke Ronchi fought a lone battle for NZ, smashing Vernon Philander for 2 sixes and a four to help the home side get past the 200-run mark. The last-wicket stand had realized more than 50.
Luke Ronchi suffered a heartbreak as he was out for 99, although his record last-wicket stand of 74 helped NZ reach 230.
Barring Luke Ronchi, it was a dismal batting performance from the hosts. The wicket wasn't all that bad to bat on but they threw their wickets away. Ronchi kept his cool and batted positively. In the end, with the help of a record 74-run stand for the last wicket, New Zealand have managed to post a respectable score. Philander, Morne, Tahir and McLaren, all bagged two wickets each.
Trent Boult struck with his very first delivery, as he had de Kock out caught for 9. The left-hander had started off well, smashing the first two deliveries of the innings for boundaries, but he could not sustain the momentum and ended up offering Tom Latham an easy catch.
Du Plessis, who came in at the fall of de Kock, too start brightly for the Proteas but was soon out to Boult, again - edging a short delivery to Ronchi.
Luke Ronchi's knock could prove to be the difference for NZ. ©Reuters
South Africa went on to lose Rillee Russouw and Hashim Amla in quick succession to fine themselves in a spot of bother. The duo had done well to put the Proteas back on track through a solid stand, but NZ came storming back into the game, with a solid stand.
AB de Villiers and JP Duminy kept South Africa on course for a win as the duo put on a patient 50-run stand to help the visitors recover. de Villiers was his usual busy self, knocking off singles and doubles wherever possible, while Duminy took more time, and deliveries, to get into the groove.
de Villiers and Duminy have won this game for South Africa. Their 139-run partnership was very crucial to the run-chase. After South Africa lost QdK in the second over, du Plessis and Amla looked to consolidate for sometime. However, du Plessis' wicket brought things to a standstill. Amla never got going and struggled throughout his 74-ball 38. Rossouw looked in good touch but gave away his wicket too easily. It was only after de Villiers came to the crease that South Africa looked in some sort of ease.
The visitors ended up winning the opening ODI by 6 wickets with 11 balls to spare.