Sensational photo-finish victory for South Africa

BRISBANE, January 9: South Africa defeated New Zealand by two runs off the last ball of their World Series match after equalling the record ...

BRISBANE, January 9: South Africa defeated New Zealand by two runs off the last ball of their World Series match after equalling the record for the highest limited-overs total ever amassed at the Gabba. In a thrilling finish, Lance Klusener held a difficult running catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary to deny a spirited New Zealand.

Seemingly set for an easy victory after amassing a massive 300 for six in their 50 overs, South Africa endured a few nervous moments before New Zealand’s innings ended on 298 for nine. Nash, who scored 38, came desperately close to tying the scores off the previous ball when his sweep to fine-leg landed on the boundary rope.

After checking television replays, the umpires signalled a boundary rather than the six Nash would have earned if the ball had carried just a few centimetres further. Left-handed opener Gary Kirsten established the tone for South Africa’s big innings by hitting 103 from 113 balls, including nine fours. In his final spell, Donald collapsed to the ground insheer exhaustion, needing several minutes’ rest before resuming.

SCOREBOARD

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South Africa: Gary Kirsten c Nash b Harris 103, Lance Klusener b Nash 50, Jacques Kallis c Parore b Vettori 31, Hansie Cronje c Harris b McMillan 55, Herschelle Gibbs lbw Harris 2, Jonty Rhodes c Nash b McMillan 23, Pat Symcox not out 14, Shaun Pollock not out 12,
Extras (w 5, lb 5): 10.
Total (for six wickets, in 50 overs): 300
Fall of wickets: 1-100, 2-167, 3-231, 4-241, 5-269, 6-277
Bowling: O’Conner 6-0-50-0, Cairns 7-0-37-0, Nash 10-1-52-1, Harris 10-0-41-2, Vettori 7-0-46-1, Astle 5-0-42-0, McMillan 5-0-27-2

New Zealand: Craig Spearman c Symcox b Pollock 11, Nathan Astle c Richardson b Donald 29, Mathew Horne c McMillan b Kallis 42, Stephen Fleming c Richardson b Donald 2, Craig McMillan c Richardson b Donald 4, Chris Harris c McMillan b Kallis 10, Chris Cairns run out 64, Adam Parore c Symcox b Donald 67, Dion Nash c Klusener b Pollock 38, Daniel Vettori not out11,
Extras (b 3, lb 11, w 4, nb 2): 20.
Total (for nine wickets in 50 overs): 298
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-84, 3-88, 4-94, 5-97, 6-124, 7-197, 8-266, 9-298
Bowling: Pollock 10-1-58-2, Klusener 10-0-55-0, Donald 10-1-43-4, McMillan 8-0-52-0, Kallis 8-1-49-2, Symcox 4-0-27-0
Result: South Africa won by two runs
Man-of-the-match: Gary Kirsten