Andile and AB show the way
Proteas scramble to one-day win over Kiwis with last-gasp run flurry
"Not for a second were we in control‚" is not the kind of thing winning captains tend to say‚ but SA’s four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first one-day international in Hamilton on Sunday was not an ordinary kind of game. So AB de Villiers’ startling assertion was understandable. Minutes before‚ De Villiers had to make sense of Tim Southee bowling off-spin at just a touch lower than his normal blistering pace. Southee’s deliveries bounced like missiles and spat like snakes off a surface offering more turn than an electric screwdriver. "I didn’t see the ball turn that much when we bowled [in New Zealand’s total of 207/7]‚" De Villiers said. That in a match reduced by rain to 34 overs aside. "Early on with the new ball it wasn’t so bad‚ but it’s easy to say that now. It would have sounded like an excuse if we’d lost." Instead‚ De Villiers watched as Andile Phehlukwayo heaved sixes off Trent Boult and Southee that had much to do with SA’s scramble to success with a ball remain...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.