Kiwi captain hails one day series triumph

KIMBERLEY (AFP) –

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson bats during the second One Day International (ODI) match in the three game series between South Africa and New Zealand at the Diamond Oval in Kimberley on January 22, 2013. New Zealand beat South Africa in the second one day international here on Tuesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum on Tuesday acclaimed one of his country’s finest one-day series wins – and an innings by Kane Williamson which made victory possible over South Africa.

Williamson hit 145 not out to set up a 27-run win for New Zealand in the second one-day international at the Diamond Oval.

It gave the tourists a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series and was a major turnaround for a team who were thrashed in both Test matches.

“It is one of the finest one-day series wins in New Zealand’s history, the ninth-ranked team against the top team,” said McCullum. “It is incredibly satisfying to finish off the tour this way.”

McCullum said Williamson’s innings was “one of the best we have seen from a New Zealander.”

Williamson bounced back from a disappointing Test series with a confident, stroke-filled career-best innings in a New Zealand total of 279 for eight.

Despite Williamson’s heroics, South Africa were on course for victory until two run-outs in successive overs derailed their run chase.

There were a total of five run-outs as the hosts limped to 252 all out in their reply. The New Zealand players shouted for joy and hugged each other on the field as they retrieved some pride after losing both Test matches by an innings.

Williamson and Grant Elliott (48) laid the foundation for New Zealand’s total with a third wicket stand of 127 off 128 balls.

Williamson reached his third one-day international hundred off exactly 100 balls with 14 fours. He was hampered by cramp in the later stages of his innings but finished with a career-best 145 not out off 136 balls with 17 fours and a six.

It was the first century for the tourists since Martin Guptill made a match-winning 101 not out in the second Twenty20 international in East London in December.

Williamson and Elliott enabled New Zealand to recover from a slow start in which they were no runs for the loss of Guptill’s wicket in three overs after being sent in.

On a ground with a history of successful run chases – with two over 300 having been achieved in one-day internationals, South Africa looked in control as Graeme Smith and Colin Ingram put on 139 for the second wicket.

But former captain Smith on 66 called for a risky third run in the 31st over and was run out by a superb throw from third man by James Franklin.

In the next over new captain Faf du Plessis was run out by a direct hit by Nathan McCullum from short cover when he ventured out of his crease before being sent back.

Ingram was caught at mid-off for 79 three overs later and South Africa’s inexperienced batting line-up – weakened by the loss of suspended captain AB de Villiers and the injured Hashim Amla – were unable to regain the momentum.

“We didn’t play well in the end,” said Du Plessis.

“From 167 for one you should win the game. The batting unit must take responsibility.

“But it is a young team and hopefully we can learn from this.”

It was New Zealand’s first win in any series in South Africa following a tense one-wicket victory in the opening encounter of the three-match series in Paarl on Saturday