AB de Villiers steers Proteas to solid score

Durban: AB de Villiers hit a rapid 64 to lift South Africa to a competitive total of 283 for seven in the series-deciding third and final one-day international against New Zealand on Kingsmead on Wednesday. The South African captain was the only batsman who made batting look easy against a steady New Zealand bowling attack on a pitch which offered the New Zealand bowlers good bounce and some sideways movement.

De Villiers hurried to a half-century off 38 balls before being bowled by Doug Bracewell after a 48-ball innings which included eight fours and a six. When De Villiers was on 19 he reached 8000 runs in one-day internationals in his 182nd innings — the fastest to the milestone. The previous record was held by Sourav Ganguly of India, who took 200 innings.

After a poor batting performance in the second match in Potchefstroom, where they were bowled out for 204, South Africa fulfilled their objective of making a solid start as Morne van Wyk (58) and Hashim Amla (44) put on 89 for the first wicket.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa: M. van Wyk c Latham b Elliott 58, H. Amla c & b Elliott 44, R. Rossouw c Latham b Wheeler 6, A. de Villiers b Bracewell 64, D. Miller c Ronchi b Milne 36, F. Behardien c Williamson b Wheeler 40, D. Wiese c Sodhi b Wheeler 12, K Abbott (not out) 3. Extras (b4, lb3, w13) 20. Total (for seven wickets in 50 overs) 283.

FoW: 1-89, 2-96, 3-134, 4-221, 5-232, 6-258, 7-283.

Bowling: Wheeler 10-0-71-3, Milne 10-1-44-1, Bracewell 10-1-54-1, Sodhi 8-0-55-0, Elliott 10-0-41-2, Munro 2-0-11-0