South Africa vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI at Potchefstroom, , Jan 25 2013 - Ball by Ball Commentary

It's been a hard-fought match, New Zealand just managed to stay in it even when South Africa seemed to be scoring without too many problems. South Africa will reflect on this and think they should have won this in more comfortable fashion, but at the moment they'll be feeling relief.

Daniel Alexander: "Who said ODI cricket is dead?"

Roddy Campbell: "Massively undeserved victory. To go from 165/3 to needing a boundary of the last ball is unacceptable."

Neil: "Fair play to McLaren for a great pressure knock. The length of the South African tail put more of a burden on him than was necessary, but he stood up under the pressure and produced the goods. Well done!"

Phil: "Bit ridiculous that SA win off the last ball when NZ faced 299 legitimate deliveries! Umpires should have some questions to answer."

Here's the presentation ...

Faf: "It was nerve wracking, but it's nice to see the younger guys hold their nerve. It was very important for us as a team, we needed to win. We didn't play a great game but I'll take the win ... I think they got a 160 in the last 20,that's way too much for us as a bowling team ... Graeme knows how to do it [the chase] the best way for the others to learn is to play more ... It's been three really hard games for us, it's been a great series, New Zealand played well, they are also a young team without key players and they played the better cricket."

The Man of the Match is Graeme Smith, for his century. No surprise there.

Smith: "I think NZ played superbly, their ability to put us under pressure, to squeeze games, it's taught our young middle order a few things ... I've found a good mental space to perform, without the captaincy ... giving guys space to grow is a crucial factor ... I think I just wanted the guys to hit the ball when they came in, Nathan McCullum bowled really well, When David Miller came in I just said hit the ball hard, create some intensity ... I would have loved to take the take home, I felt to shot was on but the execution wasn't ... "

Brendon McCullum: "Incredibly proud, this young team has shown the fighting spirit with which we want to play, especially after the Test series ... to bounce back. We said right at the outset that though we are without four-five players we can't let that affect us ... hopefully the fans back home will be proud of our efforts here and know we are heading in the right direction. It was a big series for Kane, he stamped his authority on the ground ... he's a strong leader within the group ... "

McCullum calls his team-mates up as he receives the trophy, which bring us to the end of New Zealand's tour of South Africa. These teams will move on quickly, South Africa on to the Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand on to the home series against England.

We're moving on to the Australia Day Two tomorrow. Thank you for your emails today. I hope you had as much fun as I did following this game. Cheers.

The batsmen crossed before the catch was taken to McLaren has the strike for the final ball. Tsotsobe is at the other end. Three needed off the final ball. The Kaizer Chiefs are on their feet in the stands ... it's all very tense. The batsmen speak to each other, the field is being changed ... here we go ... five men on the edge of the inner circle.

SA need five off four balls. How will Steyn approach this? McCullum is chatting with Franklin, who goes round the wicket ...

James Franklin, who played a vital role in setting up this New Zealand total, has been tasked with bowling the final over. McLaren has the strike. South Africa need eight, NZ need two wickets.

Steyn walks in with ten to get off nine balls. Five men in the circle, trying to stop the single.

Dan: "Neesham may have literally lost NZ the game but also a learning point for McCullum's captaincy I think. Why on earth did he turn to him to bowl at the death."

Anyone thinking about that five-ball over in the 49th over of New Zealand's innings? Apologies for saying McClenaghan's finished with bowling for the evening. He has one over left.

McCullum's removing his pads. He's keeping without pads.

Guerhardt Lamprecht: "This complete collapse comes as no surprise...Time for SA to do some serious brainstorming on how to overcome this mental block of theirs to absorb pressure!!"

The crowd singing along to Country Roads ... Can South Africa find a way home here? Neesham is going to bowl to the man he dropped, McLaren.