LAHORE: Star batter Kane Williamson blazing century pips Breetzke’s record debut ton as New Zealand beat South Africa by 6 wickets to book a spot in the tri-nation ODI series final here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.
The Blackcaps comprehensively chased the 305-run target on the loss of four wickets and eight balls remaining courtesy of 187 run stand between Devon Conway and Williamson.
New Zealand were off to a good start with their new opening pair Will Young and Conway adding 50 runs for the first wicket.
Young was out in the last over of the powerplay, scoring 19 runs off 31 balls.
After the first wicket, Williamson and Devon Conway kept South Africa’s bowlers at bay and formed a mammoth stand.
Conway departed in the nervous nineties off Junior Dala. His valiant knock of 97 on 107 balls included nine fours and one six.
After Devon Conway’s departure, South Africa was back in the game with two quick wickets of successive deliveries. Daryl Mitchell (10) and Tom Latham (0) were trapped by debutant Senuran Muthusamy’s spin bowling.
But Williamson stood firm at the other end and scored his 14th ODI century on 72 deliveries. He along with some notable contributions from Glenn Phillips (28), ensured that New Zealand convincingly chased the big total.
Kane Williamson remained unbeaten at the end of the chase. His marathon knock off 133 runs off 113 balls including 13 fours and two sixes.
This was also the stalwart’s first ODI hundred since the 2019 World Cup when he hit 148 against the West Indies at Manchester.
Earlier, South Africa posted 304-6 in their 50 overs after being invited to bat first, with Breetzke scoring 150 runs in his first One Day International match for the Proteas.
Breetzke also broke the record for the highest score in debut innings. His 150 is now the highest score ever by a debutant in ODIs.
New Zealand made their first breakthrough in the seventh over when Will O’Rourke dismissed the South African skipper Temba Bavuma on 20 runs.
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Following the wicket, Jason Smith and Breetzke added 93 for the second wicket. Smith perished, run out on 41 with his innings including two sixes and one four. Soon after, wicket-keeper batter Kyle Verreynne departed for one run courtesy of good bowling from off-spinner Michael Bracewell.
However, it was the fourth-wicket partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Matthew Breetzke that drove South Africa into a commanding position. The duo added 131 runs for this wicket.
The debutant departed on 150 runs after playing a brilliant knock which included five sixes and 11 fours while on the other end, Mulder stood firm and amassed 64 runs on 60 balls.
Wiaan Mulder hit five fours and one six in his innings.
Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke bagged two wickets apiece in their ten overs while Bracewell also chipped in with one wicket.
South Africa named four debutants in their playing eleven against New Zealand as their premier players were involved in a T20 League back home.
New Zealand brought in opener Devon Conway for Rachin Ravindra, who took a blow to his head during the fielding in the tri-nation series opening match against Pakistan.
Playing XIs
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Eathan Bosch, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi.
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Ben Sears, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke.
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