Boje stars in easy SA victory
Paul Martin Cainer Johannesburg
It was oh so easy for the South Africans. They were crusing in their first
encounter with the Kiwis in the six-match one-day series, but that was rained off on
Firday night. Then on Sunday the Kiwis medicocrity was exposed.
South Africa needed just 195 for victory, and a wicket that had appearead
malignant when the South Africans were bowling looked rather docile as the Proteas flowed
in the afternoon sun. They cruised to a six-wicket victory with more than 3 overs
to spare.
Boje, originally thought of as a spin-bowler who could bat a bit, is the world's
most improved bastman. Coming in as a pinch-hitter once again wafted the willow for
the Proteas with a brisk 64. With veteran opener Gary Kirsten, they put on 111 runs
for the second wicket.
After their departure Kallis hit a brisk 39 not out to guide the side to
victory. The in-out-in story of Darryl Cullinan took a turn for the worse, though. He had said
he would never again play one-day cricket -- that after the "staged" Test match
against England when disgraced captain Hansie Cronje arranged a double decalration in a
rain-soaked match against England ... and got a big fat payment for this
arrangement.
Then, some time later, Cullinan was given a contract by the United Cricket Board
under which he had no choice: play both Test and one-day cricket or play neither.
Having signed it, he then found himself dropped from the one-day team. Now he's
finally back...but on Sunday he made... a duck.
It was South Africa's bowling that proved the real key to victory. New Zealand
were held to just 194 for eight in their 50 overs. Only Astle's 58 put up some serious resistance. Harris and Parore went on the offensive towards the end, but perished living dangerously.
South African fielding, as usual, was at its brilliant best and Jonty Rhodes
pulled off his regulation brilliant catch at point to get rid of Parore.
For the South Africans, Donald, who looked terrible against India in their losing
semi-final performance in Nairobi earlier this month, took an excellent four for 49.
The television ads for the series are pumping it up as a "Classic encounter".
So far it's closer to a damp squib.
Mail Cricket Editor
