POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa - An unbeaten century from opener Martin Guptill eased New Zealand to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over South Africa in the second One-Day International at Senwes Park Sunday. Set a modest 205 for victory, New Zealand cruised to its target with 33 balls to spare on the back of Guptill's 103 not out as it finished on 207 for two.
The victory levels the three match series at 1-1, with the deciding match to be played in Durban Wednesday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa never got momentum in its innings and was bowled out in the final over for 204, not helped by losing its last three wickets to run outs.
New Zealand bowled with accuracy on a slow wicket as the Proteas batsmen reached the boundary rope on just 15 occasions.
Only middle-order batsman Farhaan Behardien found any sort of fluency as he accumulated a neat 70 from 87 balls to give the home side some sort of target to defend.
Rilee Rossouw (39) and AB de Villiers (31) both got starts in the top-order, but could not kick-on.
The innings ended in farce when Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir were all run out, with Vernon Philander (30 not out) the common denominator at the other end.
Credit must go to the way the New Zealand bowlers stifled the run rate though, with seamer Doug Bracewell the pick as he recorded figures of three for 31 in his 10 overs.
The tourists never looked troubled in their reply as a 126 run opening stand between Guptill and Tom Latham (64) laid the platform for the emphatic win.
Guptill's ninth ODI century took 134 balls and while it lacked the brutality of some of his other international hundreds, was skilful batting on a pitch most other batsmen found difficult.
Debutant George Worker finished on 20 not out as he put on 67 with Guptill for the third wicket.
Scores:
South Africa 204 all out in 49.3 overs (R. Rossouw 39, A. de Villiers 31, F. Behardien 70, V. Philander 30 not out;?Milne 2-39, Bracewell 3-31).
?New Zealand 207-2 in 44.3 overs (M. Guptill 103 not out, T. Latham 64, G. Worker 20 not out).
