1 Mar 2017

South Africa set Black Caps 280 to keep series alive

6:36 pm on 1 March 2017

New Zealand need 280 to win the fourth one day cricket international against South Africa in Hamilton and keep the series alive.

Batting first after winning the toss South Africa posted 279 for eight, with A B de Villiers top scoring wtih 72 not out.

Off spinner Jeetan Patel was the most sucessful of the Black Cap bowlers taking 2 for 57.

Jeetan Patel and the Black Caps celebrate the wicket of South African opener Quinton de Kock.

Jeetan Patel and the Black Caps celebrate the wicket of South African opener Quinton de Kock. Photo: Photosport

Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Jimmy Neesham took one each.

The Black Caps made an early breakthrough have the tourists 1-1 when Patel dismissed Quentin de Kock for a duck.

South Africa recovered to get through to 128 for two, before a middle order slump saw them 158 for six.

A B de Villiers yet again proved a thorn in the Black Caps side as he firstly with Chris Morris (28) and then Wayne Parnell who clubbed 29 off just 12 balls helped the tourists post a respectable target.

A B de Villiers top scored for South Africa

A B de Villiers top scored for South Africa Photo: Photosport

The Black Caps pace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult struggled with their lines at times, as the home side conceded 72 runs in their final five overs.

Boult going for 70 runs off his ten overs as did Southee.

South Africa lead the five match series 2-1, with New Zealand needing to win today to keep the series alive.