Cricket: Chalk it up - a series win over Sth Africa

By RICHARD BOOCK

New Zealand strode boldly into uncharted territory last night by winning a tempestuous fifth one-day international at Eden Park against South Africa.

It was their first series victory against South Africa in 72 years.

The two-run win gave New Zealand a 4-1 lead in the series with only tomorrow night's game at Napier remaining.

And it ended what has become a lifetime of South African dominance since the first test series in 1932.

The long overdue breakthrough came after New Zealand scrambled to 193 for eight in the abbreviated one-dayer, held over from Saturday.

After rain forced a revision, South Africa were given a target of 178, and the New Zealanders restricted South Africa's superstar batting line-up to 175 for five.

It also continued the momentum of the Stephen Fleming-led New Zealand side, who have already scored their first test win at Lord's and their first test series win in the West Indies.

The only remaining holes in New Zealand's international record are series wins in South Africa and India.

Possibly the masterstroke for New Zealand yesterday was the decision to draft veteran all-rounder Chris Harris back into the side.

He was selected because his bowling would be well suited to Eden Park's drop-in pitch.

But the 34-year-old made his biggest contribution with the bat, striking an unbeaten 55 to virtually rescue New Zealand's innings.

South Africa's chase was damaged at the start by the loss of three wickets within the first 10 overs.

But an 89-run stand for the sixth wicket between Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher brought them within striking range of the target.

When it came down to the final over - again bowled by Kyle Mills - the pair needed 28 to win the match.

And, just as happened in the previous game, they gave the New Zealanders a fright, smashing 24 (1,0, no-ball 6, 6, 1, 6, 4) and taking it down to the last ball.

Reduced to 33 overs a side because of overnight rain, then to 29 after more drizzle, the turbulent one-dayer included an extraordinary outburst from Jacques Kallis, who virtually bailed up Brendon McCullum after bowling the 29th over.

Kallis approached McCullum at the end of the over, remonstrated with him nose-to-nose and had to be pushed away by Graeme Smith.

Kallis evidently believed that McCullum had run into him between the wickets, although television replays suggested slight, if any contact, and little fault with either player.

The atmosphere was also ratcheted up several notches at the start of South Africa's innings, when Fleming appeared to have a lively conversation with Smith and then Kyle Mills chipped in.

Sent in to bat after Smith won his fifth toss in six attempts, New Zealand were able to push the asking rate up to near six an over after Harris' 16th ODI half-century and some urgent work from the Daniel Vettori-inspired lower-order.

Harris might remain the ugly duckling of world batsmen, but he did everything asked of him yesterday, establishing a healthy strike-rate from the start of his innings and continuing at a run-a-ball.

He eventually fell to a brilliant caught-and-bowled off Shaun Pollock.

He received useful support from Jacob Oram, who was just starting to find his range when Mark Boucher ran him out, and from Vettori, who crashed 19 off just nine balls.

The only bright note in the top-order for New Zealand was a promising 28 from Chris Cairns in a knock that was just beginning to take shape when he drilled a drive straight to Smith at mid-off.

For all that, New Zealand might have made a stronger start but for an early blunder from umpire Doug Cowie, who ruled that Fleming had edged a delivery, although television replays showed a clear deflection off the back thigh.

* After the game, both captains said they did not know of any umpires reports from the on-field flare-ups, and they seem likely to abate before tomorrow's series final at Napier.

Fleming said his side refused to take a step backwards against the tourists, but he believed there was little in the exchanges and was pleased no further action was being taken.

"We're not going to be bullied," he said. "But it was case of two competitive sides going hard at it. There was character in the game, and you don't want to lose that."

Smith refused to comment on the issue.

"I'm not getting involved ... you better talk to Fleming about it. I have my views on it, but if I told you them I'd end up getting a fine."

What it means

* It was New Zealand's first ODI series victory over South Africa.

* The last time New Zealand won four ODIs on the trot was in the World Cup last February, beating the West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Canada and Zimbabwe in successive games.

* The loss in the opening game of the series at Eden Park was New Zealand's 15th in 17 ODIs against South Africa.

* Stephen Fleming (1104 at 34.62) has scored the most one-day runs for New Zealand against South Africa.