SA wrap up series with blistering batting

Paul Martin Cainer  Johannesburg

It was once again the blistering batting of South Africa that got them home --but it was the closest encounter of this one-sided series. Chasing 288 to win the match and the series, smashed 289 in 48.5 overs.

By winning by 5 wickets in hand with seven>balls to spare, the home side now leads 3-0 with two matches to go. It's likely they'll drop a couple of stars for the remaining two, to give the lesser lights a chance, ahead of the upcoming Test series.

The foundation for victory was laid with a record second-wicket stand of 172between Jacques Kallis and Gary Kirsten steered South Africa to a series-clinchingfive wicket win over New Zealand in Kimberley on Saturday.

Kimberley was thecentre of the world's diamond-mining industry for many decades, and boasts The biggest man-made hole in the world, called -- rather unimaginatively --the Big Hole. It seemed South Africa had dug themselves into a big hole when they bowled abysmally. Chief culprit was, of all people, Alan Donald, whose five overs cost a massive 46 runs.

At the crease when the winning runs were struck were Mark Boucher on 18 and Nicky Boje on 20 off just 11 balls. What an impact this spin-bowler has had on this series, with the bat -- two centuries (one undefeated), a big half-century, and now striking the winning boundary.

Jacques Kallis and the superbly in-form opener Gary Kirsten broke the 160 run second wicket partnership record set at Supersport Park on Wednesday between Kirsten and Boje. On that occasion, Kirsten was dismissed six short of his hundred.

But he made no mistake this time, reaching his ton in just 104 balls with ten boundaries. He was out one run later, caught at the wicket. Kallis, who today batted at three instead of Boje, was the man to miss out in the nineties this time. He holed out on the cover boundary for 93 off 111 balls. Kallis and Kirsten departed within a few minutes of each other, and neither JontyRhodes nor Lance Klusener got going.

The world's most feared big-hitter Klusener tamely popped a catch to Stephen Fleming at mid wicket off the bowling of Styris when he had 9. Rhodes, attempting a sweep, was bowled by Harris for 25. Scott Styris and Chris Cairns were the best of the Kiwi bowlers, each picking up two wickets.

South Africa again opened with Daryll Cullinan -- now back in one-day cricket after retiring from it, then making a comeback -- failing to make an impression. Cullinan prodded a Cairns delivery straight to Nathan Astle at short mid-wicket in the 7th over to perish for 17.

Earlier, New Zealand's in-form Roger Twose, skipper Stephen Fleming and rookie opener Chris Nevin all scored half-centuries as the Kiwis made an impressive 287/6. It was the tourists' best batting performance so far in the series, and came on a perfect pitch after Shaun Pollock had won the toss.

Nevin and Fleming made 93 for the second wicket in good time before Boje removed Nevin for 68, his first half century of the series, scored off just 69 deliveries.

Boje's ten overs cost just 43 runs. Telemachus was also expensive, conceding 60 off nine overs. Pollock picked up 1/40 in his ten, and Jacques Kallis took 2/46 in eight overs. Lance Klusener also bowled eight overs, conceding 49 runs.

Fleming and Twose added 110 for the third wicket. Twose survived a close run out decision in the 25th over after some excellent work by Jonty Rhodes.

The decision was referred to the third umpire, but the television replays proved inconclusive because of poor camera angles. After being given the benefit of the doubt, Twose went on to hit five attractive boundaries and a six in reaching his half century. He was out in the last over, caught in the deep by Pollock off Kallis' bowling for 90 off 91 balls with nine fours and a six.

Fleming finally put his poor recent trot behind him to strike the ball elegantly, particularly straight down the ground. He needlessly ran himself out on 85, when he took on Boeta Dippenaar's arm, and lost the race by a considerable margin.

His innings included five boundaries and lasted 103 balls. Chris Cairns then weighed in with a rapid fire 21 before he was caught at cover by Pollock off Kallis' bowling. Craig McMillan (1) didn't last long. He tried to reverse sweep a Shaun Pollock slower delivery and spooned the ball up to Gary Kirsten.

South Africa fielded the same side that won the 3rd one-day international at Supersport Park, while New Zealand drafted in leg-spinner Brooke Walker in place of left-arm seamer Geoff Allott. It was all in vain -- and the Kiwis' woes seem set to continue.

Mail Cricket Editor