Klusener sixes sink New Zealand

Lance Klusener hit two successive sixes as South Africa completed their fourth successive win over New Zealand in a rain-hit fifth limited overs international at Kingsmead in Durban.

Klusener made an unbeaten 41 off 18 balls as South Africa won by six wickets with nine balls to spare after being set a stiff target under the Duckworth-Lewis scoring method on Wednesday.

Jacques Kallis played the anchor role for South Africa, making 50 not out off 80 balls.

New Zealand had struggled to 114 for five off 32.4 overs in an innings interrupted twice by rain but South Africa had to make 153 off 32 overs, with the target being revised upwards to make allowance for the curtailment of the New Zealand innings.

The task looked difficult on a pitch which helped seam bowlers until Klusener joined Kallis and cut loose. Klusener hit three fours in an over from Geoff Allott, then finished the match with two successive sixes off Shayne O'Connor.

Kallis won the man of the match award. Apart from his crucial innings he held two slip catches and took his 100th limited overs international wicket in his 113th match.

New Zealand were sent in to bat in seam-friendly conditions after rain delayed the start by half an hour.

South Africa's fast bowlers prospered in helpful conditions after skipper Shaun Pollock won the toss, although New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming (21) and fellow left-hander Roger Twose (38) put on 63 for the third wicket.

Chris Cairns batted brightly in making an unbeaten 25 off 30 balls.

There was an interruption of more than an hour when New Zealand were on 81 for five after 27.3 overs.

Cairns hammered Klusener for three fours in an over when play resumed and then hit a straight six in Klusener's next over as he and Chris Harris added 33 off 5.1 overs before the second stoppage.

Pollock's decision to bowl was quickly justified when he had Chris Nevin caught at second slip for nought, with Nathan Astle following soon afterwards in the same fashion to Allan Donald.

Both Fleming and Twose played and missed several times during their partnership as the ball deviated sharply off the seam but Twose in particular played some aggressive strokes during an innings of 38.

Twose was bowled by Jacques Kallis, the 100th limited overs wicket for the South African allrounder in his 113th match.

Fleming was given out lbw to Makhaya Ntini in the next over, although replays showed that umpire Wilf Diedricks had erred, with the ball pitching outside the leg stump.

South Africa lead the series 4-0. The first match of the series was rained out.

Mail Cricket Editor