Highlights, New Zealand vs South Africa, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match, Full Cricket Score: Williamson's ton guides NZ to 4-wicket win

Kane Williamson’s last five ODI innings in successful chases:

106*, 79*, 40, DNB, 65*

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: I though the wicket was soft and bowling first on it was what both teams wanted to do. The bowlers hit the hard lengths. The guys bowled beautifully, nice and short and we were able to build the pressure. Colin de Grandhomme is our x-factor player. He came in and hit the ball beautifully. He played a brilliant knock.

Faf du Plessis, SA captain: We were aiming 260. That was par score here. 270 would have been great. I felt we were 20 short. Good bowling but we fell short. Kane showed how to bat. He waited for one guy to attack. One guy getting a 100 makes it easier for other batters. We had stop-starts quite often. I thought we fought hard and tried. Great work from bowlers. Energy was unbelievable. Kane was too good for us today. I was standing at long-on and could not hear the nick off Kane’s bat(in Tahir’s last over). Performances has not been there. Would like to see individuals step up and take responsibility.

Take a bow, Kane Williamson. Captains are supposed to lead, but only the special ones can lead like that. New Zealand prove they can beat bigger sides as well as the small fry. South Africa have retained a thread of hope that they can progress to the semis. But it really is only a thread. And it could easily snap against Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday.

Kane Williamson, Man of the Match for unbeaten 106 made off 138 balls:

Kane: Nice to be there in end. It was a tough surface to bat on. It was holding up a bit. Very good effort from us with bowling. We needed partnerships but lost a few wickets in the middle. Colin de Grandhomme stood out for me today. Trying to get through the tough hours. Was trying to get the game deep.

Captain Kane, take a bow!

Terrific stuff! 

What a marvellous innings from Kane Williamson. Fantastic game of cricket and his calmness stood out in taking New Zealand home. Terrific stuff #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/ZxFgagPZl4

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 19, 2019

Just like Dhoni! 

Kane Williamson absolutely Dhoni-ed that innings

— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) June 19, 2019

This is New Zealand’s 10th consecutive win while chasing in ICC ODI World Cups.

Kane Williamson is the first NZ batsman to score three tons in ODIs in England.

New Zealand captains with a ton in ICC ODI WC:

Glenn Turner v East Africa, Birmingham, 1975

Glenn Turner v India, Manchester, 1975

Martin Crowe v Australia, Auckland, 1992

Stephen Fleming v SA, Johannesburg, 2003

Stephen Fleming v Bangladesh, North Sound, 2007

Kane Williamson v SA, Birmingham, 2019*

NZ win by 4 wickets.

Third ball of the over, guided to wide third man for just one. One is what Kiwis needed and a calm head of Williamson has guided the Black Caps to victory. New Zealand, the better team, clearly deserved to win.

Last over. Phehlukwayo bowls. 

Second ball, 49th over: Phehlukwayo bowls slower and in Williamson’s arc, he smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a six. New Zealand need 1 run in 4 balls

HUNDRED for Williamson.

Last over. Phehlukwayo bowls. 

First ball, 49th over: Phehlukwayo bowls short and Santner heaves it to mid-wicket for one. New Zealand need 7 runs in 5 balls

Game of the tournament! 

Game of the tournament. Game that will be remembered beyond the tournament. #NZvSA #CWC19

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 19, 2019

After 48 overs,New Zealand 234/6 ( Kane Williamson (C) 96 , Mitchell Santner 1)

We are inches away from the end of the match and the distance keeps getting wider with every ball. Wicket off the first ball, a caught and ball chance on the second. Kane takes a single off the third ball. Santner, the news man, fails to read the slower off Ngidi. Smash back at the bowler next delivery, Ngidi stretched with his left leg, ball hits the stumps and goes to mid-on. They take a single. Last ball goes for four. New Zealand need 8 runs in 6 balls. 

Ball-by-ball commentary for last over.

FOUR! Calm Kane, watches the ball and guides it to four to third man. Distance has lessened with that boundary.

New Zealand No.7 batsmen to score 50-plus runs in an ODI WC match:

Brendon McCullum v Canada, Gros Islet, 2007

Colin de Grandhomme v SA, Birmingham, 2019*

OUT! Here comes the wicket but has it come too late. Slower from Ngidi, CDG tries to clear long-off, miscues it, Faf takes a diving catch over there. New Zealand need 14 runs in 11 balls. de Grandhomme c du Plessis b Lungi Ngidi 60(47)

After 47 overs,New Zealand 228/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 91 , Colin de Grandhomme 60)

Rabada comes back on and bowls a good over. Just 3 off the over. New Zealand need 14 runs in 12 balls. If this goes to last over, we might see a last-ball finish. Don’t go anywhere.

Proteas have been disappointing.

You thought South Africa couldn't be more shambolic on the field than they were against New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup semi, right? Wrong.

— Nitin Sundar🎙️✒️🎦 (@knittins) June 19, 2019

After 46 overs,New Zealand 225/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 90 , Colin de Grandhomme 58)

A tough chance in the deep. Two players emerging to take the catch, one tried and failed, other dived hesitantly to see the ball go to four. Bizarre stuff, South Africa. Absolutely bizarre. New Zealand need 17 runs in 18 balls.

FOUR! CDG heaves again, slower in pace and smashed this but could not connect. Miller ran to the mid-wicket boundary and dived to catch it, missed it by long distance, fielder running in from square leg failed to stop the ball from running away for four.

After 45 overs,New Zealand 216/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 88 , Colin de Grandhomme 52)

CDG reaches fifty and good work my Morris ruined by that last-ball boundary. The match is done and dusted to be honest. Will take a special effort from Kiwis to lose this one because Proteas really does not want to win it. New Zealand need 24 runs in 24 balls.

FOUR! FIFTY for CDG!

And that has been hoicked away for four to cow corner region by CDG. He brings up his fifty. What a knock.

Not sure what’s worse for South Africans — that Phehlukwayo should bowl a waist high no-ball to Williamson at this stage of the struggle, or that Ngidi should drop what wouldn’t have been a catch. There’s calm at the crease for New Zealand now, and a look South Africa have worn in World Cups past. The end is near.

After 44 overs,New Zealand 211/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 87 , Colin de Grandhomme 48)

200 up for Kiwis. Phehlukwayo bowled a short to a well-settled Williamson at slower pace and got hit for four. Next ball, he bowled a waist-height no-ball, and Williamson pulled it to backward square leg where Ngidi dropped the catch. It would not have been a dismissal but it shows you that Proteas are just not mentally strong enough to pull off the win. New Zealand need 31 runs in 30 balls.

FOUR! Luck is favouring CDG, edge again and it races away for four through slips to third man.

After 43 overs,New Zealand 199/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 82 , Colin de Grandhomme 42)

An ad at Edgbaston reads ‘Visit Birmingham’. South Africa would not mind visiting the place again if they end up on winning side. If they don’t, chances are less, they would come back to this haunting venue really. Morris comes back on. One off the first ball and then two dots, the one again. Two off the last two balls. New Zealand need 43 runs in 36 balls. Kiwis inch closer.

After 42 overs,New Zealand 196/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 80 , Colin de Grandhomme 41)

If you are a South African fan, you may believe that it is Don Bradman batting and not CDG. He is middling everything. He is 41 off 30 balls, playing at strike rate of 137.93. NZ’s lower order has showed the strength. Williamson has dug in for long and all the hard work is turning out to be fruitful now. New Zealand need 47 runs in 43 balls.

After 41 overs,New Zealand 190/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 77 , Colin de Grandhomme 38)

It’s all happening here. Williamson misses the pull, CDG starts off from the other end. Williamson gathers himself and hesitantly starts running to the other end as well. Rabada goes to collect the ball and had good time to aim and hit. He aimed but missed to hit the stumps. This is getting closer. New Zealand need 52 runs in 48 balls.

FOUR! Edge off CDG’s bat and goes for four through the vacant second slip region for a boundary. Fiffty partnership up between CDG and Williamson.

After 40 overs,New Zealand 184/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 77 , Colin de Grandhomme 33)

Superb stuff from Ngidi. 23 runs came off the last 3 overs. Just 1 off this over. Williamson is in no real hurry but also keeps Proteas in hunt. New Zealand need 58 runs in 54 balls.

New Zealand batsmen with 1000-plus ODI runs in two countries:

Martin Crowe (Australia, New Zealand)

John Wright (Australia, New Zealand)

Kane Williamson (England, New Zealand)*

Is that small spike on the snicko the story of this match? Tahir’s last ball of the game, and the gizmo suggests Williamson edged it. De Kock, who took what should have been a catch, doesn’t appeal. Tahir finishes wicketless. The moment is gone. Stand back — we don’t know how big it will be by the time this El Classico is over.

After 39 overs,New Zealand 183/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 76 , Colin de Grandhomme 33)

Well, well, well, replays show that Williamson had actually edged the ball off Tahir’s last delivery. South Africa had one DRS left but they did not take it. QDK was right behind the stumps and yet could not hear the faint edge. Williamson is still there. CDG is hitting sixes. Nothing going Proteas way. 10 runs off the over. New Zealand need 59 runs in 60 balls.

SIX! Another short ball to CDG and he rocks back and powers it over the deep mid-wicket boundary for six. That went 20 rows back in the stands.

After 38 overs,New Zealand 173/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 76 , Colin de Grandhomme 23)

CATCHHHHHHH! Screamed QDK and Tahir as Miller dived almost from short mid-wicket towards the pitch to take an impossible catch. Miller has been quite busy now, fielding at that position. Another tough chance came his way, he reached it but failed to collect it cleanly. Tahir bowled a superb last over. Almost made Williamson edge the last delivery. Exciting over came to an end. The match has begun to slip away from Proteas. New Zealand need 69 runs in 66 balls.

DROPPED! Has South Africa dropped the match, Miller has definitely dropped the catch. CDG hit it over the deep mid-wicket fielder and Miller launched himself, reached the ball but could not hold on to it.

Least innings to 1000 ODI runs in England:

17 – KANE WILLIAMSON*
18 – Rohit Sharma
19 – Shikhar Dhawan
21 – Viv Richards
22 – Rahul Dravid/Marcus Trescothick

After 37 overs,New Zealand 169/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 74 , Colin de Grandhomme 21)

CDG is doing it for Kiwis. He has made things easy for his captain. Phehlukwayo has not done any good to his skipper. The only effective deliveries he has bowled are the slower ones, beating the batsmen on some occasions. Nine off the over. New Zealand need 73 runs in 73 balls.

SIX! THAT ALMOST WENT OUT OF THE PARK! Short in length, no pace on the ball, de Grandhomme rocks back and swivels it for a six over backward square leg region.

After 36 overs,New Zealand 160/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 72 , Colin de Grandhomme 14)

Tahir completes his ninth. Meanwhile Kane Williamson has surpassed 1000 ODI runs in England. A run-out chance on the last ball and de Grandhomme started off slowly from the bowling end but a wayward throw means he reached in time. New Zealand need 82 runs in 78 balls.

After 35 overs,New Zealand 154/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 70 , Colin de Grandhomme 10)

De Grandhomme is batting on a different surface al together. He is hitting everything off the middle of the willow. Morris bangs a cross-seamed delivery to Williamson, it comes slow off the pitch and hits Williamson on the right arm. He failed to judge the pace of the ball. Two balls later, same ball and this time the NZ captain was ready for it. He stood back and swivelled it to four. New Zealand need 88 runs in 84 balls.

FOUR! That was spotted well by Williamson, short and slow, Williamson swivels it to four to deep mid-wicket boundary

After 34 overs,New Zealand 148/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 65 , Colin de Grandhomme 9)

Alright, Tahir back on after the fall of wicket and a good move by Faf. He had to come back on irrespective of whether Neesham got out or not. One more wicket here and Proteas will open the gates. Just 3 off the over. Top stuff from the leggie.New Zealand need 94 runs in 90 balls.

Christopher Henry Morris! You could see the angry disappointment in Neesham’s reaction after he edged that screamer. Easy, son — that ball would have got a lot of people out. Mayhem from Morris, wisdom from Williamson. It’s a grand old battle indeed.

After 33 overs,New Zealand 145/5 ( Kane Williamson (C) 63 , Colin de Grandhomme 8)

Well, another soft dismissal for New Zealand. Width given and Neesham hits is straight to the wide slip. Morris has a wicket but they cannot just get complacent from here. Colind de Grandhomme has come in and started off in a blistering way. New Zealand need 97 runs.

FOUR! De Grandhomme comes in and starts off immediately, Morris bowls in his leg and he flicks it off them for four to mid-wicket

OUT! Morris back on and he delivers. Width given and Neesham cuts, he did not see the wide slip in place, or maybe he knew and thought he could beat Amla standing there, turns out he ended up giving a straight catch to him. Neesham is gone. NZ lose fifth. Neesham c Amla b Chris Morris 23(34)

After 32 overs,New Zealand 136/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 62 , Jimmy Neesham 23)

Phehlukwayo is not having a great time with the ball. Stars off with two back-to-back wides. Three wides in last 6 balls. First ball of the over goes for four as ageing Amla could not get down in time to stop the ball. That’s a six off the first ball, courtesy of the two wides earlier. Neesham hits four on the penultimate ball to make it 11 off the over. Faf needs to take Phehlukwayo off now and bring in Tahir. Neesham was not looking comfortable against him and the only way he would tackle Tahir is try and hit him out of the park, which may provide the much-needed wicket for the South Africans.

FOUR! Over-pitched by Phehlukwayo and Neesham drives it straight down the ground to fetch four runs.

FOUR! Short, wide and slower in pace, Williamson cuts hard, ended up edging it between the wider slip and keeper and collected four runs behind the stumps.

After 31 overs,New Zealand 125/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 57 , Jimmy Neesham 19)

Amla kept busy in this Rabada over by Williamson. He dived to his right in the slip cordon to stop one and then again Williamson guided the ball to him at wide slips. Faf has kept Amla there because Williamson makes a lot of runs in that region. Proteas fielding well in the match. It may make a huge difference in the end.

Williamson is playing an Amlaesque hand to keep his team in it. It’s not the kind of batting that’s going to get you an IPL deal, but it is what’s required to win a World Cup match on a tricky surface and against opponents who won’t quit. Whether the Kiwis’ skipper has enough support to get the job done is the big question.

After 30 overs,New Zealand 124/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 56 , Jimmy Neesham 19)

Phehlukwayo returns and Tahir is off. Not to forget, Phehlukwayo has not bowled well so far. The one wicket fell fell in his bag rather than him snatching it. Bowls two around the leg stump line, one was called wide. Then pitched it short to Williamson. This is a crucial phase of the game as Faf wants wickets.

This is just the third fifty-plus score for Williamson out of 16 innings in ODI World Cup.

And, we are excited! 

Clear mindset from @faf1307 no free singles on offer, hit it over the top if you want runs to flow. This game is getting interesting 👊#CWC19 #SAvNZ

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) June 19, 2019

After 29 overs,New Zealand 119/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 53 , Jimmy Neesham 18)

Rabada returns to the attack, probably for a two-over stint. Faf is going for the attack and rightly so. Just 4 off the over. NZ have recovered well though after flurry of wickets.

After 28 overs,New Zealand 115/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 50 , Jimmy Neesham 17)

Tahir continues, pitches it full on the first ball and gets hit for four by Neesham. Runs are hard to come by now. Kane reached his fifty and the milestone will keep him going. 6 off the over.

FIFTY! Another fifty for Captain Kane. It has come off 72 balls. Slow in pace but he needs to stick to the crease and the approach is important at the moment

FOUR! Neesham attempted the slog sweep in the last over and missed it. He went after him again and the over-pitched delivery helped him hit the ball to deep mid-wicket boundary for four

After 27 overs,New Zealand 109/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 49 , Jimmy Neesham 12)

Ngidi continues. Another cracking sound off Williamson’s bat and that the ball again finds the fielder. He is redefining the struggle of a batsman, who is hitting so well but is still unable to score of those strokes.

Watertight bowling by Ngidi and defiant fielding, mostly by Morris at mid-off, earn a precious maiden that means New Zealand are 17 runs behind the Duckworth/Lewis par after 25 overs. Williamson carries almost all of his team’s hopes. South Africa are able to spread the load more evenly, but they can’t point a single performance that isn’t out of the top drawer. Finally, the World Cup has a proper contest to focus the mind.

After 26 overs,New Zealand 105/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 46 , Jimmy Neesham 11)

Neesham defends and Williamson calls for one, they take it successfully. Tahir flights the next ball to Williamson and he drives it but stopped brilliantly at short cover. Proteas are giving their all in this match and this is good to see. Neesham tried to go big over mid-wicket but missed it completely. The ball could have hit the stumps.

After 25 overs,New Zealand 103/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 45 , Jimmy Neesham 10)

Cracking drive to the mid-off fielder by Williamson. Stopped by Morris standing there. Faf had a word with Ngidi and the bowler stumped Williamson next ball with a nice slower one. Williamson drive again to Morris and then hit one to the point fielder. Tried to find the gap between mid-off and cover but was unsuccessful. He is hitting well but only finding the fielders. A maiden over by Ngidi.

After 24 overs,New Zealand 103/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 45 , Jimmy Neesham 10)

Tahir completes another good over. LBW appeal against Neesham, turned down by the umpire as it was pitching outside the leg stump line. Came round the wicket to Neesham on last ball and the left-handed defended well.

After 23 overs,New Zealand 102/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 44 , Jimmy Neesham 10)

100 up for Kiwis in the 23rd over, confirming it that this is not the wicket that was going to give us 600 runs today. Ngidi was back in the over and gave away 5 singles. Proteas have 140 more runs to defend and six more wickets to take to win the contest.

After 22 overs,New Zealand 97/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 41 , Jimmy Neesham 8)

Tahir continues. Williamson and Neesham clearly struggling while running between the wickets. Two moments of confusion between the two so far, one coming in this over as Neesham tapped the ball to point and ran but was sent back by Williamson. No damage done though. The last thing NZ want at this stage is a run-out. 3 off the over.

After 21 overs,New Zealand 94/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 39 , Jimmy Neesham 7)

Kane Williamson plays a lovely on-drive. That shot would have given him a lot of confidence and a little relief in this crunch situation. Neesham needs to hang in there. 8 off the over.

FOUR! Oh Kane, what a shot, slightly fuller, coming in to the batsman and the on-drive was on from Kane

Morris has been great this World Cup!

The sheepish smile!

After 20 overs,New Zealand 86/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 33 , Jimmy Neesham 5)

Tahir continues and completes a quick over. Neesham should be the target here and Proteas would want him against Tahir more often. 2 off the over.

Morris’ stonking delivery to remove Latham means he has taken 2/2 in seven balls. When his tail is up, there are few more powerful forces in the game. Williamson will have to lead from the front here — South Africa are into the liquorice allrounders.

After 19 overs,New Zealand 84/4 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Jimmy Neesham 4)

Proteas have come out with a plan and they have got everything right in the last couple of overs. Latham is back to the hut. NZ now 4 down. Williamson has been a mere spectator at the non-strikers’ end, watching one batsman leave after the other.

FOUR! Too much width from Morris to Neesham, who stands and smacks it through point for a boundary

OUT! PROTEAS ARE BACK, lovely delivery from Morris, angling across left-handed Latham, produced faintest of edge off his bat and QDK collected one more and started celebrating it. Latham c de Kock b Chris Morris 1(4)

After 18 overs,New Zealand 80/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Tom Latham (W) 1)

Tahir continues and almost got Kane on the first ball. Almost two more occasions after that when he tricked Kane. Tahir is pumped up and NZ should be careful about it.

Imran Tahir has dismissed Williamson four times in ODIs — the joint most times a bowler has dismissed him in ODIs alongside Tsotsobe.

FOUR! Almost got Williamson. Tahir almost got him, as he played back-foot punch but edge it to vacant second slip and the ball raced away for four. There was Amla at first slip who watched it pass.

After 17 overs,New Zealand 76/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 28 , Tom Latham (W) 1)

Williamson has been witness to two lousy bit of cricket from his batsmen within 6 balls. Guptill getting out hit wicket and then Taylor edging one behind. Latham comes in. This is the time for Tahir to unleash himself. Proteas fired up.

OUT! The game has changed, bowled down the leg stump line, Taylor wanted to glance it to fine leg, ended up edging it to the keeper QDK, who took the catch and started celebrating straightaway. Big, big wicket for Proteas. They are right back in the game. Morris gets his first wicket. Ross Taylor c de Kock b Chris Morris 1(2)

Ross Taylor’s batting average of 38.70 against South Africa in ODIs – his second lowest against any country after Sri Lanka (33.88).

Kane Williamson-Ross Taylor’s last three ODI stands:

89, 105, 41*

After 16 overs,New Zealand 74/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 27 , Ross Taylor 1)

First sight of spin. Tahir comes into the attack and this is going to be an interesting contest between the two best players of spin bowling against one of the best spinners in the world. Taylor joins Williamson. The two have batted well together in the tournament. They need to stick together here again.

Guptill and Williamson were taking the game away. Then Guptill failed to deal as well as he might have with a rising delivery from Phehlukwayo and stood on his stumps. Here comes Taylor and with him New Zealand’s hopes of knocking off much of the rest of the target before they have to reply on their tail. Which starts with the next man in.

After 15 overs,New Zealand 72/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , )

Phehlukwayo continues. Was turning out to be an expensive over from him. It ended up being a rather expensive for Guptill who got out hit wicket. Two back-to-back boundaries for Williamson and he is coming into a groove now. Taylor joins him after the drinks.

OUT! This is school boy cricket from Guptill, was well set, looking to play his strokes, and the he played a pull, swiveled in the process and in the motion hit the stumps and the bails came off. He is gone, just like that. Guptill hit wkt b Phehlukwayo 35(59)

FOUR! Now shorter in length from Phehlukwayo and Kane heaves, the inside edge off the bat travels to fine leg region for a boundary

FOUR! That is pure class from Kane, overpitched and he does not misses out, creams it between cover and extra cover for a lovely boundary.

After 14 overs,New Zealand 61/1 ( Martin Guptill 35 , Kane Williamson (C) 15)

Morris continues. Almost got an edge off Williamson’s bat to the keeper. It was turning out to be good over for Morris, who needs some dots to get back to the rythm. The idea was not well supported by co-worker Rabada at sweeper cover who misfielded one to give a chance to Kiwis to convert a single into two.

After 13 overs,New Zealand 58/1 ( Martin Guptill 33 , Kane Williamson (C) 14)

Phehlukwayo continues. The inside edge off Guptill’s bat went for in the leg side. It has been his kind of day and that boundary was a testimony of the same. This is the same pitch where Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller were failing to connect well in the middle overs of South Africa innings. Now, the ball is going to four off inside edge to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Weird, good ball, seaming in to Guptill, it took the inside edge off and the ball ran away for four to deep mid-wicket boundary

After 12 overs,New Zealand 53/1 ( Martin Guptill 29 , Kane Williamson (C) 13)

Lovely straight drive from Williamson to mark his presence. Morris is doing a Pakistan here, either going too full or pitching it short to the two batsmen. Has not really found his length yet.

FOUR! Alright, Kane Williamson arrives with this shot. Half-volley from Morris and instead of going squarer, he goes straight and fetches a boundary.

After 11 overs,New Zealand 46/1 ( Martin Guptill 27 , Kane Williamson (C) 8)

Andile Phehlukwayo, right-arm medium, comes into the attack. Two new bowlers now. Guptill misses two chances to put the ball away to ropes. Just 3 off the over. NZ unperturbed in chase.

Ten overs gone, New Zealand are three runs ahead comparatively. Their top four have survived Rabada and Ngidi with a wicket still in the bank, which is reason to believe the Kiwis have the upper hand. Phehlukwayo and Tahir could be South Africa’s best hopes of staying in the game.

After 10 overs,New Zealand 43/1 ( Martin Guptill 26 , Kane Williamson (C) 6)

Chris Morris comes into the attack now. Guptill targets the covers area and tries to clear the fielder in the off side but the ball does not travel fast to the ropes, cut off by Ngidi, who again did not give a great chase to the ball. Was not forcing him too much. Morris, however, needs to pitch it more fuller. There is a short mid-wicket in place for Guptill. First powerplay done. New Zealand score 43 off the first 10 overs.

After 9 overs,New Zealand 41/1 ( Martin Guptill 24 , Kane Williamson (C) 6)

Rabada’s bowling really well. Bouncing out on Guptill on one occasion. Both the opening bowlers have not used the bouncers too much this far. Guptill, on the other hand, is vary of playing across the line and is playing everything with a straight bat. Williamson happy to play the second fiddle for now. 4 off the over.

After 8 overs,New Zealand 37/1 ( Martin Guptill 23 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

There is a short mid-wicket placed for Guptill. Think it has been there for some time now as he likes to hit through the region and at times, loses control of the shot. He gets a four on the off side to end the over. 4 off the over, thanks to that boundary.

FOUR! Lofted from the pitch of the ball by Guptill and he did it well, Morris gave a chase but there was no chance he could it off at covers

After 7 overs,New Zealand 33/1 ( Martin Guptill 19 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

13 came in the last over. Rabada brings balanace back. Bowls a one-run over. Guptill takes a single off the last ball to keep strike.

After five overs South Africa were 18/1 and New Zealand are 19/1. And both teams know the South Africans bat far deeper than the Kiwis. But while the top four are around the runs will flow. South Africa’s bowling and fielding haven’t been up to the same standards as the opponents'.

After 6 overs,New Zealand 32/1 ( Martin Guptill 18 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

Ngidi is focussing on bringing the ball in to Guptill from outside the off stump line. He pitched three deliveries too full and Guptill took good advantage of it. Three boundaries in the over, with two consecutive straight down the ground.

FOUR! Another one down the ground, no mid-off and he targeted the same area again, back to back fours. Ngidi went too full and paid the price.

FOUR! Straight as you like, too full from Ngidi and Guptill presents full face of the bat, the ball goes away for boundary straight down the ground

FOUR! Nicely played. Ngidi slant it to the leg side and Guptill helped along the ball through mid-wicket for a boundary.

After 5 overs,New Zealand 19/1 ( Martin Guptill 5 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

Quite an interesting scene as Williamson flicked one off his legs to deep fine leg, and Ngidi placed much squarer, came jogging in to cut it off, giving an indication that he does not want to put too much pressure on his hamstring maybe. Anyway, Rabada bowled a good over. Just 2 came off it.

Kane Williamson’s batting average in last seven years in ODIs:

2019 : 49.00

2018 : 46.82

2017 : 42.57

2016 : 41.11

2015 : 57.33

2014 : 70.00

2013 : 41.18

After 4 overs,New Zealand 17/1 ( Martin Guptill 5 , Kane Williamson (C) 1)

Ngidi continues. Huge LBW appeal against Guptill, turned down by the umpire. Typical Guptill dismissal it would have been where he tries to play the ball to mid-wicket standing right in front of the stumps. The ball hit the pads but guess umpire Llong felt there was some bat involved too. Faf was not too keen on taking the DRS either. Ngidi repeated the same delivery three balls later and Guptill was caught hanging back in the same position. This time however the noise of ball hitting the bat on to the pads could be heard even on TV set. 2 off the over. Great start from Proteas pacers.

After 3 overs,New Zealand 15/1 ( Martin Guptill 3 , Kane Williamson (C) 1)

The plan has worked from Rabada. Avoid any width to Munro by bowling him from round the wicket and ask him to play across. He ended up top-edging the ball and athletic Rabada took a good catch in his follow through. Kane Williamson has joined Guptill in the middle. 3 off the over.

New Zealand stay on top with punchy batting by Guptill and Munro that earned a dozen runs in two overs, but Rabada’s early strike has evened things. Here’s Williamson, and with him the makings of a compelling drama. We could have quite some game on our hands here, folks.

OUT! Rabada comes round the wicket to Munro and tucks him up, ball angled in to Munro and he evaded it by playing on the leg side, the ball hit the top of the bat and flew in air, Rabada took a good catch in his follow through. Proteas are up and running. Munro c and b Rabada 9(5)

After 2 overs,New Zealand 12/0 ( Martin Guptill 2 , Colin Munro 9)

Lungi Ngidi, right-arm fast, to share the new ball with Rabada. He squares up Guptill with a jaffa straightaway. Guptill takes a single at third man. Ngidi comes around the wicket to Munro as well. Defensive mindset? Too early to say that but the fours scored off Rabada may have something to do with it. Good over from him though. Just 3 off it.

After 1 overs,New Zealand 9/0 ( Martin Guptill 1 , Colin Munro 8)

Rabada starts off for Proteas. Munro off to a blistering start, with two back-to-back fours and both cracking strokes. Rabada came from round the wicket to change the angle and avoid giving any width to the batsman. 9 off the first over.

FOUR! Oh lovely, consecutive boundaries for Munro, good length, angle going across, and Munro holds his shape and placed it between extra cover and cover for a boundary

Martin Guptill has scored two centuries in his last five ODI innings against South Africa.

New Zealand have won each of their last nine World Cup matches while chasing. Will they be able to chase the target of 242 runs?

The lowest total successfully defended by South Africa in ODIs

World Cup : 199/9 v Sri Lanka, Northampton, 1999

Against NZ : 174/9, Hobart, 1997

FOUR! Width given by Rabada to Munro and he climbs on to it, smashes it through the covers for a boundary

The chase begins.

Martin Guptill and Colin Munro begin innings for New Zealand. South Africa were involved in a rather long meeting before entering the ground. They want to win this. They need this win. Rabada to kickstart proceedings for them.

Here is Dhawan with a message for his fans!

I feel emotional to announce that I will no longer be a part of #CWC19. Unfortunately, the thumb won’t recover on time. But the show must go on.. I'm grateful for all the love & support from my team mates, cricket lovers & our entire nation. Jai Hind!🙏 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/zx8Ihm3051

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 19, 2019

Add 50 to South Africa’s total because of a challenging pitch and a rain-slowed outfield, and New Zealand’s wonderful bowling and fielding, and they’ve actually put up a reasonable score — not least thanks to van der Dussen, their find of the tournament. Thing is, to make this a contest South Africa are going to have to bowl and field better than their opponents. And against one of the best top fours in the game.

After 49 overs,South Africa 241/6 ( Rassie van der Dussen 67 , Chris Morris 6)

Some late flourish in the last over with VDD bringing up a six and four on last two deliveries. 15 from the over. New Zealand need 242 to win.

FOUR! VDD cleared his front foot. Stood tall and clobbered the ball straight down the ground

SIX! Big maximum. 92 meters into the stand. Short ball from Ferguson has been slammed over midwicket by VDD

FOUR! Morris cleared his front leg on the short ball for a slam down the ground but the top-edge flies over the keeper for a four

After 48 overs,South Africa 226/6 ( Rassie van der Dussen 57 , Chris Morris 1)

Henry is welcomed back into attack with a six as VDD gets the swipe over square leg. But then this pull shot on next ball is put down by Ferguson at fine leg. The pacer mixes up his pace excellently in the over to restrict the batsmen from going big. Eight off the over.

DROPPED! Ferguson puts down VDD’s catch at fine leg as the batsman went for a pull shot

SIX! VDD targets the small square leg fence, picks the length ball and drags it from off to over the fence with a swipe

After 47 overs,South Africa 218/6 ( Rassie van der Dussen 50 , Chris Morris 0)

Fifty up for van der Dussen. He’s a top-order batsman but he has served Proteas well at No 5. His second fifty of the tournament. Meanwhile, Phehlukwayo is out and Chris Morris is in. Phehlukwayo failed to put away a rank full-toss from Ferguson and played it to the midoff fielder. Just two from the over.

Most 50-plus scores for South Africa since Rassie van der Dussen’s ODI debut:

7 – Quinton de Kock
6 – Rassie van der Dussen*
5 – Faf du Plessis

OUT! Phehlukwayo c Williamson b Ferguson 0(5)

Ferguson was a bit embarrassed after picking up the wicket and that’s because it was a fortunate one after he bowled a rank full-toss. But Phehlukwayo was struggling for timing and his innings came to an end with a catch to midoff.

FIFTY! Rassie van der Dussen brings up his half-century in 56 balls. His second World Cup fifty

After 46 overs,South Africa 216/5 ( Rassie van der Dussen 49 , Andile Phehlukwayo 0)

VDD was slow on his pull shot off Boult as he got hit on the grill of the helmet. Also took a blow on the right thumb leading to some medical attention. What happened next? He drilled a half-volley by Boult down the ground for a four immediately after receiving the treatment. Six off the over.

Need more boundaries!

FOUR! What power. Half-volley from Boult has been smoked down the ground by VDD for a boundary

After 45 overs,South Africa 210/5 ( Rassie van der Dussen 44 , Andile Phehlukwayo 0)

Just when Miller got going South Africa have lost him. Slammed two consecutive fours off Ferguson but got out trying to put away a short and wide delivery as his upper cut was taken by Boult at third man. Andile Phehlukwayo is the new batsman.

What’s not to like, for South Africa supporters, about consecutive boundaries by Miller off Ferguson that take the total past 200? The fact that we’re in the 45th of 49 overs. And now Miller’s out, a victim of slow batting earlier in the innings that has led to unseemly haste at the sharp end. New Zealand have been in control throughout.

OUT! Miller c Boult b Ferguson 36(37) 

Short ball gets Ferguson another wicket. This one was banged in short and wide as Miller went for an upper-cut but failed to find the distance as Boult took the catch at third man.

FOUR! Slightly fuller and on the pads by Ferguson as Miller helps it on it way to the fine leg fence

FOUR! Poor short delivery from Ferguson and Miller makes most of it with a crashing pull shot to deep square leg

After 44 overs,South Africa 198/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 41 , David Miller 27)

A run out appeal sent to the third umpire after a mixup in the middle but VDD is safe but that’s followed by another tight single. Direct hit would have made VDD a goner but Kiwis have failed to hit the stumps today. Miller ends the over on a good note with a six over cow corner.

SIX! A typical Miller shot. It was long time coming. Full delivery from Boult has been crashed over the cow corner

After 43 overs,South Africa 187/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 40 , David Miller 17)

Four from the over off Henry! While there was a six in the previous over, Proteas batsmen are not taking too many risks. The pitch is playing slow and there are some footmarks. Probably they think bowlers can defend a 220-30 total.

After 42 overs,South Africa 183/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 38 , David Miller 15)

Van der Dussen collects the first six of the innings, getting down on one knee and smacking the ball over long on to infuse some confidence into the South African batting display. 10 off Santner’s penultimate over.

SIX! In the slot, and van der Dussen delivers, getting down on one knee and smacking the ball over long on! SA 180/4

After 41 overs,South Africa 173/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 30 , David Miller 13)

Henry has returned to attack. Four from it. Kiwis will look to bowl Henry and Santner out with Boult and Ferguson bowling at the end.

A key factor in New Zealand’s excellent performance has been the outrageously high standard of their boundary fielding. Time after time, a man has dived to stop a certain four mere centimetres from the boundary. Their efforts would be worth a decent chunk of runs at the best of times, and it doesn’t hurt that the outfield is slower than it might have been because of last night’s rain.

After 40 overs,South Africa 169/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 28 , David Miller 12)

Santner back into attack. He has two more overs left. Starts off with three dot balls followed by three singles as Proteas keep the scoreboard ticking.

There’s some banter going on in here, we reckon. 

@hershybru what has happened to your cricket team??? You should come out of retirement... your country needs you #😱😞

— Owais shah (@owaisshah203) June 19, 2019

After 39 overs,South Africa 166/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 26 , David Miller 11)

Boult into attack and manages to drop Miller to the ground with a yorker but the batsman still managed to whip it away for a double to reach the 3000-run mark in ODIs. Seven off the over.

After 38 overs,South Africa 159/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 22 , David Miller 8)

Ferguson continues. A single for Miller with a nudge to legside VDD pushes one to cover for another single. Also a wide in the over.

After 37 overs,South Africa 156/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 21 , David Miller 7)

Miller goes for a lofted drive with the long-on being empty but Henry does very well to restrict it to three runs. Seven off the over. CDG finishes his quota on 1/33.

After 36 overs,South Africa 149/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 19 , David Miller 2)

Ferguson is back into attack. Bowled a nasty cross-seamed short delivery which squared up Miller before brushing his shoulder for a leg bye. Four off the over.

After 35 overs,South Africa 145/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 17 , David Miller 1)

CDG continues after the break. A drive over midoff by VDD for a double and another brace with a shot to mid-wicket. Five off the over.

After 34 overs,South Africa 140/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 12 , David Miller 1)

Boult continues. Three off the over. South Africa now need to rebuild again before they can up the ante. All the hard work went for a toss with the dismissal of Amla and Markram. One of them needed to play a big innings. In any case, it’s time for the drinks break.

Markram gets himself out to the weakest link in New Zealand’s bowling chain. That’s a disappointing end to what could have been a milestone innings for a player who has all the talent but not enough to show for it, particularly in this format. Here comes another of that sort. Miller has a chance to do something big here.

David Miller needs to score nine more runs to complete 3,000 ODI runs.

Rassie van der Duseen’s ODI career:

93, 80*, 18, 50*, 32*, 2, 50, 28*, 50, 41, 22

After 33 overs,South Africa 137/4 ( Rassie van der Dussen 10 , David Miller 0)

CDG has been finally been awarded with a wicket. South Africa lose Markram as he tried to force the issue and failed to capitalise on the dropped catch. The batsman came out for a drive over midoff but sliced his shot to the sweeper cover for a catch. David Miller is the new batsman.

Plenty to ponder about for Proteas.

Proteas are struggling to get out o the shackles they created fr themselves n earlier games..Kiwis looking ominously hungrier..& not giving anything away.!Much as 1 wud like 🌈 Nation to stay n the fray..time & opportunities seem to b running out for ‘em...!!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) June 19, 2019

OUT! Markram c Munro b de Grandhomme 38(55)

Markram fails to capitalise on the dropped catch. Another set batsman gets out for Proteas. Markram came down for a drive over midoff but the ball moves away enough to take the outside part of the bat to sweeper cover.

After 32 overs,South Africa 135/3 ( Aiden Markram 38 , Rassie van der Dussen 8)

Boult has been called back into attack and Markram, whose catch Boult dropped a while back, crashes a full delivery through cover for a four. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Cracking shot. Full and wide from Boult as Markram frees his hands with a powerful drive through cover

After 31 overs,South Africa 127/3 ( Aiden Markram 33 , Rassie van der Dussen 6)

South Africa could have been four down but Boult put down a sitter at long leg to give Markram a reprieve. The batsman went with pull shot as CDG bowled a short one. It was in the hands of Boult but for some reason he decided to jump and messed up the catch. Four from the over.

DROPPED! Markram’s pull shot to fine leg was in the hands of Boult but he has put down an easy one

After 30 overs,South Africa 123/3 ( Aiden Markram 32 , Rassie van der Dussen 5)

Santner’s tossed up delivery on outside off is crashed through the cover by Markram for a four. Eight off the over.

Proteas under the pump in the match

SA top order has been at its poorest that I can remember. Gritty half century by Amla, but way behind his best. Team would have liked a century and more from him to get to a big score. Even in bowler friendly conditions, need 250 something to defend

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 19, 2019

FOUR! Santner drops one outside off as Markram plays a beautiful looking cover drive to get a boundary

After 29 overs,South Africa 115/3 ( Aiden Markram 27 , Rassie van der Dussen 2)

The first delivery from Ferguson moved back in from short of length to hit a leaping van der Dussen on thigh pads and rolled wide of slip for a leg bye. Three from the over.

Bowled him! It’s at times like this that cricket shrugs off its shackles as a mere game and makes the leap to art. The flight, the pitch, the turn, the deception belied in Amla’s false stroke, the off-stump askew, the shivers down the spines of all who see it. Take a bow, Mr Santner.

After 28 overs,South Africa 112/3 ( Aiden Markram 26 , Rassie van der Dussen 1)

Santner produced a stunner to remove Amla. Tossed up the ball as it came in with drift and then moved away just a bit to beat the outside edge of Amla’s bat to clip the off stump. The partnership, which just crossed 50, is now broken. Rassie van der Dussen is the new batsman.

BOWLED! Amla b Santner 55(83)

A left-arm spinner’s dream. The flighted ball pitched on middle with the drift as Amla went forward for a defensive shot but the ball moved away enough to beat the outside edge and clip the off stump.

After 27 overs,South Africa 108/2 ( Hashim Amla 55 , Aiden Markram 23)

Ferguson is back into attack and the short stuff is also back. Markram punches the first ball to cover for a double. Six off the over including a wide.

Most 50-plus scores for SA v NZ in international cricket:

24 – Jacques Kallis
17 – Hashim Amla*
17 – Gary Kirsten
15 – Graeme Smith

Amla’s 50 — his first in six innings in the format. South Africa’s 100 — and with only two wickets down. Might we be looking at a turning of the tide? No, because we’re already into the second half of the innings and the bowling and fielding remains brilliant. The South Africans will be intent to smoulder for now, but at some point they are going to have to light the fire. Or at least try to.

After 26 overs,South Africa 102/2 ( Hashim Amla 54 , Aiden Markram 19)

Just four from the over. South Africa are now past the 100-run mark and the partnership is now worth 43. With some more rebuilding, they need to start attacking.

After 25 overs,South Africa 98/2 ( Hashim Amla 52 , Aiden Markram 17)

Amla brings up his fifty with a four. It was a risky affair. A flick through wide of midon that just went past the fielder to the fence.

FIFTY! Amla gets to the mark with a four. A  whip through wide of midon which could have been taken by Henry but went just wide of him to the fence

After 24 overs,South Africa 91/2 ( Hashim Amla 45 , Aiden Markram 17)

Another tight single and another runout opportunity but Williamson missed the direct hit at bowler’s end. A four in the over for Markram as he drives the tossed up delivery from Santner past the bowler.

FOUR! Tossed up delivery by Santner, into the slot and that has been drilled down the ground by Markram

After 23 overs,South Africa 84/2 ( Hashim Amla 43 , Aiden Markram 12)

Amla’s punch to midon was timed too well for a single and a direct throw could have made things interesting. Also, an appeal for lbw against Markram as he missed the flick shot but it was going down leg. Five off the over.

Twenty-one overs gone and New Zealand are bossing this game. South Africa’s 75/2 is not the kind of score big totals are built on. Amla has settled into a reasonable facsimile of his former self and Markram needs to get past Santner to make something of this start. But for every decent stroke there have been a slew of threatening deliveries. And it’s a miracle we haven’t seen a runout, what with the South Africans’ apparent faith in the Kiwis’ inability to hit the stumps.

After 22 overs,South Africa 79/2 ( Hashim Amla 41 , Aiden Markram 10)

Four from the over with four singles. Proteas are scoring at a very modest rate. They have not been offered too many freebies by Kiwi bowlers but one of them needs to put the foot on the gas.

After 21 overs,South Africa 75/2 ( Hashim Amla 39 , Aiden Markram 8)

Inventive shot from Amla to get off the strike. Came down the pitch to play the flick to midwicket for one. Single on the last ball for Markaram with a drive to sweeper cover.

After 20 overs,South Africa 73/2 ( Hashim Amla 38 , Aiden Markram 7)

A single for Markram with a punch to longon as Amla steers one to backward point to add one more run off Santner.

After 19 overs,South Africa 71/2 ( Hashim Amla 37 , Aiden Markram 6)

Massive appeal for lbw against Amla on first ball but height could have been an issue. Kiwis decided against a review and replays showed it was just clipping the leg stump that means the on-field umpire’s decision would have stayed in any case. Two from the over.

After 18 overs,South Africa 69/2 ( Hashim Amla 36 , Aiden Markram 5)

We are back after the drinks break. There’s was nothing for us, the privilege was only for the players. Of course they need it more than us. Meanwhile, Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner has been called into attack in place of Ferguson. Three runs from the over.

After 17 overs,South Africa 66/2 ( Hashim Amla 34 , Aiden Markram 4)

Good over for de Grandhomme. Just one from it as Amla drive one down to midon. Time for drinks break.

After 16 overs,South Africa 65/2 ( Hashim Amla 33 , Aiden Markram 4)

Ferguson has decided to keep using the short stuff. A snorter goes past Amla, who threw his bat on the next back of the length delivery but missed the shot. A single with a push to cover followed by a four for Markram as he crashed the overpitched delivery through off. Five off the over.

FOUR! What beautiful timing. Markram creamed that through cover as Ferguson gave him some room on off

And just as Amla and du Plessis post a 50 stand and think they’re getting somewhere, Ferguson follows a bouncer with a yorker that does for South Africa’s captain. New Zealand used to be the kind of team who had to make a plan with limited resources. No longer. This is star quality stuff.

After 15 overs,South Africa 60/2 ( Hashim Amla 32 , Aiden Markram 0)

Aiden Markram is the new batsman. Colin de Grandhomme, right-arm fast medium, is the new change into the attack in place of Henry. Just one from the over with Amla playing a cover drive.

After 14 overs,South Africa 59/2 ( Hashim Amla 31 , )

Faf was looking in great touch, even got a four in the over through covers but Ferguson trapped him with some clever thinking. Bowled a short delivery and followed it up with a 148 kph yorker. Faf got his bat down but the ball escaped past his outside edge to rattle the stumps. Seven off the over.

WICKET! du Plessis b Ferguson 23(35) 

A pacer’s delight for Ferguson — yorker crashing into bottom of the stumps. Ferguson set this up with a short ball and then produced a 148 kph yorker to beat Faf’s outside edge and hit the stumps.

FOUR! Lovely shot. Length ball outside off from Henry and Faf creams it through cover for a boundary

After 13 overs,South Africa 51/1 ( Hashim Amla 28 , Faf du Plessis (C) 18)

Cracking drive on the first ball by Faf but straight to Williamson at cover for a single. A pull shot on leg for a triple by Amla. Another triple on the last ball with a straight drive by Faf. Seven off the over.