New Zealand captain Kane Williamson showed his class with an unbeaten hundred to guide his side to a four-wicket win over South Africa in a thrilling World Cup clash on Wednesday.
The win led New Zealand to the top of the points table, with nine points from five matches. The Black Caps are unbeaten in the tournament so far, winning all the four matches played and one match being washed away due to rain.
South Africa, meanwhile, succumbed to their fourth loss in six games, having three points (one match was washed away due to rain) and being in eighth position in the 10-team table.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was declared Man of the Match.
Williamson’s gritty innings of 106 not out off 136 balls was laced with nine fours and a match-tying six. The 28-year-old New Zealand skipper was in sublime touch, taking everything from the middle of his willow.
Colin de Grandhomme, too, played a handy 47-ball 60, decorated with five fours and two sixes. He along with Williamson added 91 runs for the sixth wicket to help New Zealand steal a nail-biter, which for once was almost in the Proteas’ claws.
Winning the toss, Williamson chose to field first. South Africa were slow since the beginning of their innings and could only post a par score of 241 for 6 in 49 overs (over reduced due to wet outfield).
For the Proteas, Van der Dussen (67 not out) and Hashim Amla (55) were the saviours. On the other hand, for the Kiwis, Lockie Ferguson was the star with his figures of 3 for 59.
Chasing 242 for victory, the Black Caps were reduced to 80 for 4 after Colin Munro (9), Ross Taylor (1), Martin Guptill (35) and Tom Latham (1) failed to give a push.
After Morris broke the partnership sending James Neesham (23) back in the hut, de Grandhomme joined the rock-solid Williamson in the middle with the game still in the balance.
The duo played sensibly with Williamson playing the anchor role and Grandhomme taking his chances. Though the latter fell bit short of finishing line, the former played with his cold feet to pull off a blinder.
For South Africa, Chris Morris (3/49) was the best bowler.
Brief scores: South Africa 241/6 in 49 overs (der Dussen 67 not out, Hashim Amla 55; Lockie Ferguson 3/59) vs New Zealand 245/6 in 48.3 overs (Kane Williamson 106 not out, Colin de Grandhomme 60; Chris Morris 3/49)