South Africa v New Zealand, 2015-16
Wisden's review of the first ODI, South Africa v New Zealand, 2015-16
15-Apr-2016
At Centurion, August 19, 2015. South Africa won by 20 runs. Toss: New Zealand. One-day international debut: D. Wiese.
In just his 116th innings, Amla hit his 21st one-day international hundred, equalling the South African record set by Herschelle Gibbs (from 236). A second-wicket stand of 185 with Rossouw was more effective than attractive, with Amla's customary style neutered by a slow, awkward pitch on which Rossouw failed to score from 63 of his 112 balls. The total might have been higher had Milne not dismissed de Villiers and Amla in the 45th over - one caught at midwicket and the other yorked, but both undone by rare speed. Steyn, apparently unfazed by the South African bowling plans being pushed under the wrong hotel door by the team analyst - they were later published on Facebook - had chances dropped off the first and fourth deliveries of the innings, before Ronchi was caught at slip off the sixth. Latham made a careful 60 after his first-ball reprieve, but no one else hung around for long, and the game looked up when he departed at 158 for five. Neesham and Munro swung selectively in a stand of 71, and the tailenders kept going, but wickets fell too regularly.
Man of the Match: H. M. Amla.
In just his 116th innings, Amla hit his 21st one-day international hundred, equalling the South African record set by Herschelle Gibbs (from 236). A second-wicket stand of 185 with Rossouw was more effective than attractive, with Amla's customary style neutered by a slow, awkward pitch on which Rossouw failed to score from 63 of his 112 balls. The total might have been higher had Milne not dismissed de Villiers and Amla in the 45th over - one caught at midwicket and the other yorked, but both undone by rare speed. Steyn, apparently unfazed by the South African bowling plans being pushed under the wrong hotel door by the team analyst - they were later published on Facebook - had chances dropped off the first and fourth deliveries of the innings, before Ronchi was caught at slip off the sixth. Latham made a careful 60 after his first-ball reprieve, but no one else hung around for long, and the game looked up when he departed at 158 for five. Neesham and Munro swung selectively in a stand of 71, and the tailenders kept going, but wickets fell too regularly.
Man of the Match: H. M. Amla.