South Africa off to winning start

South Africans 114 for 4 (Dippenaar 45*, Butler 3-49) beat Northern Districts 114 (Peterson 3-17) by six wickets
Scorecard

Boeta Dippenaar got some good batting practice in with an unbeaten 45 © Getty Images

The South Africans got off to a winning start in their tour of New Zealand, easily beating a strong Northern Districts team. After being asked to field the South Africans blasted out Northern Districts for a mere 114 in 42.3 overs and chased down the target in less than 20 overs for the loss of four wickets.

Interestingly, South Africa's most successful bowler in recent times, Makhaya Ntini, was the only one to go wicketless. Lance Klusener took the new ball with Ntini and struck at once, removing James Marshall with just three runs on the board. Daniel Vettori (31) then put on 42 for the third wicket, the largest partnership of the innings, with Hamish Marshall. Once Vettori was out, bowled by Albie Morkel, wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

Grant Robinson (35) resisted the bowlers for a time, but simply lacked the support he needed. Klusener, Morkel and Paul Adams finished with two wickets apiece, while Robin Peterson returned 3 for 17, the best figures of the innings.

Herschelle Gibbs (27) and Boeta Dippenaar (45 not out) responded by adding 51 for the first wicket. With a small target to chase, this virtually laid to rest Northern Districts' chances of fighting back. Ian Butler provided a scare, taking three wickets while just 12 runs were added, but, with Dippenaar holding one end up, the South Africans cantered to victory.