New Zealand v South Africa

At Westpac Stadium, Wellington, February 20, 2004 (day/night). New Zealand won by five runs. Toss: South Africa. One-day international debut: J. A. Morkel.

This match had a soggy beginning but a fiery end. Floods were affecting the Wellington area, and heavy rain was falling the day before the game. The groundsman's task was made more difficult by the need to replace 740 square metres of turf damaged during a David Bowie concert less than a week before. Even though a helicopter aided the drying process, the match, reduced to a 38-over affair, began two and a half hours late. Papps, who made his first international halfcentury, and Fleming gave New Zealand a good start before South Africa fought back strongly, despite losing Pollock with a groin strain. Smith completed Pollock's over and bowled his offspin steadily, though he kept himself on one over too long: the 35th cost 23. McCullum and Styris hit another 46 off the remaining three overs and shared an unbeaten stand of 84 from just 44 balls. Smith and Gibbs gave South Africa a chance, but New Zealand took control as five wickets fell between the 21st and 26th overs. When Mills began the last over, the South Africans needed a seemingly impossible 27. That became 18 off three balls, then six off one as Pollock slammed sixes over extra cover and mid-wicket. One more would do it. But Mills got his length right for the final ball, and Pollock could not score off a yorker.

Man of the Match: S. B. Styris.