The bowling effort that fizzled out

Imran Tahir was all over New Zealand in the T20, and though he benefited from a climbing asking rate it was a noteworthy start from the No. 1 white-ball bowler. Mike Hesson said it was important New Zealand play him on their terms, not his, during the one-day series so it could well prove quite significant that Kane Williamson showed early aggression, but in a controlled manner, with a strong slog-sweep over deep midwicket. It ended up being a rare wicketless day for Tahir.

The athleticism of fielders around the boundary - parrying balls back to save boundaries or completing relay catches - has almost become a norm, but there are still some spectacular efforts. Tim Southee almost fell victim to one when Farhaan Behardien made huge ground around the rope to hold a skimming catch, but his momentum was taking him close to the boundary so he flicked the ball back. However, he had held the ball for so long that he did query with the umpires whether it was a legitimate catch after they had checked whether he had touched the rope. The third umpire did not agree.

Morris ended his fifth over with figures of 5-0-24-4. He was having a wonderful day, having knocked over the top order and was on for career-best numbers. But he may wish the captain had finished his allotment earlier. When he returned for his final two overs at the death, he was clubbed to all corners of the ground - not always off the middle of the bat - by Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee. His last over went for 25 and his final two for 38, which was more than his previous eight overs on the tour, split between the T20 and this match, had cost.

Both captains expected turn from the pitch - which is why the teams played two frontline spinners - but it was still somewhat of a surprise to see Mitchell Santner be given the first over. It wasn't exactly India out there. Still, you could soon see why. A full delivery gripped, spun and beat Hashim Amla's drive to go straight to slip then another slightly shorter ball, squared up Amla and beat the outside edge. However, what New Zealand really wanted to see - an early wicket - didn't not eventuate.

Williamson provided the breakthrough when he had Amla caught and bowled which brought a smile of satisfaction to his face. However, at the end of the same over he had a smile of embarrassment. The delivery came out horribly wrong, was dragged down in Williamson's half of the pitch and bounced a second time before reaching Quinton de Kock, who just managed to keep his composure and punch it to cover.

Jitters were alive in South Africa's batting line-up when JP Duminy fell to Tim Southee, a lovely slower ball which found a leading edge, but it was the next delivery that really stood out. A beautiful off-cutter gripped and zipped past Behardien's inside edge into clatter off stump. Any of the frontline spinners in the match would have been pleased with the purchase Southee found.