NZ seamers, Guptill ton help level series

A career-best 3 for 31 from Doug Bracewell cancelled out a fighting 70 from Farhaan <g data-gr-id="26">Behardien,</g> and set New Zealand up for a dominant, series-leveling victory in the second ODI. On a slow surface, New Zealand’s attack squeezed and then strangled South Africa with tight lines, pace off the ball and some reverse swing, none of which the home side could replicate.

New Zealand cantered to victory without many concerns. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham starred in the highest first-wicket partnership for New Zealand against South Africa, beating the previous record of 114 set by Latham’s father Rod and Mark <g data-gr-id="25">Greatbach</g> at the 1992 World Cup. Guptill went on to score his ninth ODI century and his first against South Africa, with the runs scored authoritatively and all around the ground.

South Africa’s first error came at the toss when AB de Villiers decided to bat first despite chasing being the preferred option in Potchefstroom. Their next mistake was the over-eagerness of the openers, who both fell playing aggressive shots and exposed the middle order earlier than they would have liked. New Zealand could see straight through South Africa and plucked most of their middle order in the period between overs 16 and 33 before clipping the tail in the last five overs.

South Africa’s twin collapses - 4 for 66 in the middle period and 4 for 16 at the end - were held together by Behardien, but even he could not get really get going on a pitch New Zealand understood better.