After some tight bowling from New Zealand dismissed South Africa for just 204 in the final over of their innings, Guptill led the Black Caps’ charge to victory with his ninth one-day century and first against the Proteas.
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Bracewell, playing in his first One-day worldwide in more than two years, took a career-best three for 31 with his accurate medium-pacers as the South African batsmen failed to come to terms with a slow pitch.
Earlier in the day, AB de Villiers elected to bat first in favourable conditions after winning the toss but was left to rue that decision when both of South Africa’s openers, Hashim Amla (8) and Morne van Wyk (2), fell early to the bowling of Adam Milne. After quick fall of the top order, it was Farhaan Behardien whose 87-ball 70 recovered the hosts from going down to 76 for four in the 18th over.
However, a well disciplined fielding performance from New Zealand wiped out the tailenders within 49.3 overs.
Fans living in New Zealand will now be able to catch all the action live via web streaming. The previous record of 114 had been set by Mark Greatbatch and Rod Latham – Tom’s father – in Auckland during the 1992 World Cup.
The opening batsman, dropped on three occasions, earned the man-of-the-match award by hitting 103 off 134 deliveries to help the Black Caps overhaul a victory target of 205 with 33 balls unused.
Debutant George Worker finished on 20 not out as he put on 67 with Guptill for the third wicket. “In the field it was getting a few knocks here and there, so it was a bit tough”, Guptill said.
New Zealand lost a second wicket soon after when Kane Williamson chopped on to his own stumps off Phangiso for just 7.
“It was a struggle the way the pitch played and Tom really got us underway – we could cruise from there”.
“I do like coming here it’s a great place to go and play cricket”.
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“We will be on a different surface in Durban so the boys will have to adapt again”.
