Second ODI at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom: SOUTH AFRICA 204 all out in 49.3 overs (Roussouw 39, de Villiers 31, Behardien 70, Philander 30 not out; Bracewell 3-31) lost to the BLACKCAPS 207/2 in 44.3 overs (Guptill 103 not out, Latham 64) by 8 wickets
As far as bounce-back performances go, this was an emphatic statement from the BLACKCAPS. After having lost the opening ODI against South Africa at Centurion by 20 runs, the BLACKCAPS turned things around in crushing fashion with a comprehensive eight-wicket win in Potchefstroom.
The bowling attack led the fightback, the fielding shone and they were backed up by openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham who put on 126 runs to cement the series-levelling performance, with one to play.
The Proteas had won the toss and chose to bat first, but were bowled out for 204 in 49.3 overs after an ODI career-best bowling performance from Doug Bracewell (3-31) and superb opening spell from Adam Milne (2-39).
Adam Milne continued to be explosive. Photos:Photosport.nz
Farhaan Behardien (70 from 87 balls) top-scored for the hosts with his highest score in ODI cricket, but it wasn’t enough as the South African batting order struggled with the slow pace of the wicket.
But the BLACKCAPS were prepared for it perfectly, always in control of the chase with the unbeaten Guptill and Latham in brilliant touch.
This opening combo had already put on a record partnership of 236* against Zimbabwe earlier in the tour: now they were at it again with an effort that was well paced for the first 29 overs.
Guptill, who had been cleared to play shortly before the match after his damaged hand had held together well, rode his luck and was dropped three times early on (two caught and bowled chances to Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso, and one in the deep to David Wiese), before bringing up his 26th ODI half century.
Meanwhile, Latham brought up his third ODI half century from 57 balls before he was undone by Tahir, Rilee Rossouw completing a good catch at deep square leg.
BLACKCAPS skipper Kane Williamson (7) departed soon after when he was bowled by Phangiso, which brought debutant George Worker to the ODI crease for the first time. It was some birthday present for the 26-year-old, who became the 188th New Zealander to play ODI cricket after Jimmy Neesham had been a late withdrawal through injury.
Worker added a composed unbeaten 20 to finish the job off with almost five overs to spare, while man of the match (again) Guptill would raise his bat to his ninth ODI century.
Earlier in the day, AB de Villiers had won the toss and a sellout crowd at Potchefstroom had hoped to see South Africa clinch the series, but it was the BLACKCAPS' bowling attack who stole the show in the opening exchanges.
Milne got the first breakthrough when opener Hashim Amla, the century-maker from the opening ODI at Centurion, was caught at third man by Grant Elliott in just the second over.
Two overs later, Milne dismissed Morne van Wyk when the opener played onto his stumps. South Africa was 20/2 in the fourth over and reeling from a clinical onslaught from the BLACKCAPS.
Rilee Rossouw and de Villiers set about restoring the scorecard, and the experienced pair put on 48 for the third wicket before Doug Bracewell came into the attack to further trouble the hosts.
Rossouw (39) tried to take the initiative and looked to hit Bracewell over the top, only to mistime his shot for a simple catch to Williamson.
David Miller (5) also looked to take on Bracewell through the off-side, but was reeled in by a superb catch from Colin Munro at short cover.
All eyes fell on de Villiers to deliver one of his trademark swashbuckling innings. The skipper hit 31 from 45 balls before he was undone by a slower ball from Grant Elliott. He spooned the simplest of catches straight to Guptill at short mid-wicket.
Bracewell, playing in his first ODI for New Zealand since the tour of England in 2013, was enjoying a fine comeback for New Zealand. At the other end, Ish Sodhi made the most of the spin-friendly conditions to add to the pressure.
That scoreboard pressure created by the tight bowling forced the Proteas into making mistakes in the final five overs, with three players – Phangiso, Dale Steyn and Tahir – all run out by fielders in the inner ring, Guptill's cool, collected throws proving a star turn.
It was a near-complete performance from the BLACKCAPS in the field and batsmen Guptill, Latham and then Worker finished the job for a memorable victory.
The BLACKCAPS travel to Durban today for the final match on tour on Wednesday where they will look to claim only their second ODI series win in South Africa, aiming to follow up the series victory here in 2013.
