Hundreds from Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen propelled South Africa to a total of 357/4 in the World Cup fixture against New Zealand in Pune. It was the eighth consecutive time South Africa went past the 300-run mark while batting first this year.
After losing the toss, South Africa came up against one of Trent Boult's better spells with the new ball in this World Cup and lost the wicket of Temba Bavuma in the process. The South Africa captain looked comfortable against Matt Henry, hitting a couple of crisp drives and a six against the pacer, but couldn't get behind a cover drive against Boult and edged to slip instead.
That's when van der Dussen joined de Kock in the middle, the duo going on to add 200 runs for the second wicket - the highest partnership for South Africa against New Zealand in ODIs for any wicket. While at it, de Kock brought up his fourth hundred in this World Cup edition, also his 21st overall in ODIs.
It wasn't the most fluent knock from de Kock who survived a tough dropped catch by Glenn Phillips at backward point while on 12. But he still got to his hundred off 103 balls and looked increasingly in control of his batting out there. His partner at the crease, van der Dussen through rode his fair share of luck en route to his second hundred in this World Cup, and his sixth overall in the format.
Van der Dussen was dropped twice in the same Jimmy Neesham over when he was on 68 and 72, but strolled along thereafter to bring up his hundred off 101 balls. He was bowled by Tim Southee on 133 in the 18th over but his 118-ball knock helped provide South Africa the much needed final flourish.
Thanks to de Kock and van der Dussen, South Africa scored as many as 190 runs in the second PowerPlay (11-40 overs), setting base for the big hits in the death overs. And they arrived from van der Dussen himself alongside David Miller, who hit 2 fours and 4 sixes in his 30-ball 53. It took a brilliant catch from Daryl Mitchell in the deep to dismiss him in the final over.
South Africa ended up adding 119 runs in the final ten overs and what made matters more challenging for New Zealand was the unavailability of Matt Henry. The fast bowler hurt his right hamstring in his second spell and was confirmed to not return to bowl again in this game.
Brief Scores: South Africa 357/4 in 50 overs (van der Dussen 133, de Kock 114; Southee 2-77) vs New Zealand
Source: Cricbuzz