Guptill's blistering return, de Kock's other landmark

Quinton de Kock was one innings away from setting a South Africa record. Instead, he gave himself a different landmark. He came into the game with five consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs and a sixth would have been the best by a South Africa batsman (although Kepler Wessels scored one representing Australia). Instead, the run ended in abrupt fashion. Trying to open the face against his first ball from Jeetan Patel, he provided a thin nick for the wicketkeeper. It was his first golden duck in international cricket and only the second of his career in any cricket at professional level.

Martin Guptill's comeback was talked up in terms of his batting (more on that later) but he is also a terrific fielder. He almost showed it in 20th over when JP Duminy flicked a ball in the air towards midwicket. Guptill flung himself low to his right, clutched the ball but in the process of landing it bounced out. It was not overly costly for New Zealand as Duminy again struggled for fluency and dragged on against Tim Southee for 25.

It really shouldn't surprise when AB de Villiers brings something brilliant out of his locker. However, the shot he played in the 49th over was stunning for the awareness it showed. He was keen to exploit third man being inside the circle and was prepared to reverse ramp or scoop anything full from Trent Boult, but the bowler also realised this and dropped the ball in short. But that didn't stop de Villiers. Instead, he stood tall, flicked the bat around and got the ball away by playing a reverse scoop between the keeper and short third man from a standing position.

Guptill has batted twice this year due to his dodgy hamstrings. He scored 112 for Auckland and 61 for New Zealand. He has been able to net during his rehab but, still, a month without being in the middle, coming back against South Africa, would surely test him. Well, he slotted back in seamlessly and was racking up sixes as early as the fourth over when he cracked a blistering pull off Wayne Parnell which landed on the grass banks at deep midwicket.

Guptill was racing along on 62 off 49 balls when he was given lbw to Dwaine Pretorius. It was a crunch moment of the game, with an uncertain clutch of allrounders to come for New Zealand. Guptill pondered for a moment then called for the review. He was spot on. Guptill was out of his crease, the ball had struck him above the pad flap and would comfortably have carried over leg stump.