Kiwis begin SA tour with easy win

Opening batsman Nathan Astle hammered a century and legspinner Brooke Walker took four wickets as New Zealand gained a convincing 78-run win over a Highveld Strikers Invitation XI to start their South African tour at the Soweto Cricket Oval on Wednesday.

Astle and skipper Stephen Fleming shared a second wicket stand of 185 as the newly-crowned International Cricket Council knockout champions piled up 295 for five in their 50 overs after winning the toss.

International players Adam Bacher and Andrew Hall put on 102 for the Strikers first wicket before Walker and fellow slow bowler, offspinner Paul Wiseman, dismissed both openers. Walker, who joined the squad Tuesday after missing the ICC tournament, took four for 33 and Wiseman one for 32 as the Strikers struggled to 217 for six.

New Zealand, who beat India in the ICC knockout trophy in Nairobi Sunday, play the first of six limited overs internationals against South Africa in Potchefstroom Friday.

The tour also includes three Test matches.

Astles 135 was scored off 167 balls with 12 fours and two sixes while Fleming ended a lean spell with the bat, making 82 during a 104-ball innings which included eight fours.

They came together after Chris Nevin was caught at second slip and scored at almost a run a ball against a moderate bowling attack on a small field.

Most of New Zealands frontline bowlers were rested after their efforts in the ICC Knockout, including allrounder Chris Cairns.

Coach David Trist said Cairns remained a doubtful starter for the international games because of an injury to his right knee.

Fleming said it was a "great start". He said of his own form: "The pressures been building and its nice to get a few runs under the belt."

Mail Cricket Editor