By Greg Stutchbury
WELLINGTON Feb 25 (Reuters) – South African captain
AB de Villiers anchored his side’s run chase as they beat New
Zealand by six wickets at Wellington Regional Stadium on
Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in their three-match one-day
international series.
De Villiers stroked his 13th one-day century to finish 106
not out and combined in a 90-run partnership with JP Duminy (46)
and for 129-runs with Faf du Plessis (66 not out) as the
visitors overhauled New Zealand’s 253-9 with 28 balls to spare.
The result ended New Zealand’s unbeaten run of seven matches
at the stadium stretching back to January 2006 and was the
highest successful run chase at the ground, eclipsing New
Zealand’s 237-2 against Zimbabwe in 2001.
The decision review system was also put to use by both
sides, as it overturned three dismissals given on the field by
umpires Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth.
Du Plessis was given out lbw on 10 from the bowling of Doug
Bracewell but immediately requested a review and the decision
was overturned with replays showing the ball would have bounced
well above the wickets.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who had top scored
with 56 for the hosts, also had two dismissals overturned.
He was given out lbw on the first ball he faced from Lonwabo
Tsotsobe and again when he was ruled to have been caught behind
by De Villiers from Robin Petersen when he was on three.
Replays showed the lbw delivery would have bounced over the
stumps, while he failed to hit the ball from Peterson.
Continued…
