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South Africa vs New Zealand, Only T20I at Johannesburg, , Nov 23 2007 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
Only T20I (N), Johannesburg, November 23, 2007, New Zealand tour of South Africa
(19.5/20 ov, T:130) 131/7

South Africa won by 3 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)

Player Of The Match
52* (45)
ab-de-villiers
New
SA
Full commentary

We'll be back on Sunday for the first one-dayer at Durban. Do join us then.

And there aren't too many celebrations going on in the dug-out. The mood is certainly one of relief - if not a great escape - and they should never have made it so difficult for themselves. New Zealand never gave up - even when all seemed lost - and, although it is yet another loss on their tour of South Africa, they did show encouraging fielding and form with the ball.

19.5
4
Mills to Botha, FOUR runs

and he's done it! A beautiful, calm flick from Botha through midwicket brings him four and, with it, the match for South Africa

3 needed from 2

Smith's laughing his head off in the dug-out

19.4
2
Mills to Botha, 2 runs

Botha pulls, but top-edges it over the wicketkeeper! He can't get to it, McCullum, and nor can Styris - both of them swarming on the spiralling ball like a pair of wasps, but they just can't get to it in time. What a mess it is out there!

A discussion between bowler, captain and a couple of others. What can Botha do?

New Zealand are all over them now; all over them like a rash. They're absolutely buzzing, as are the crowd.

19.3
1
Mills to de Villiers, 1 run

de Villiers cracks this over the top - will it go all the way? No, it falls short and they can only get a single

Even by their own high standards, this is a choke of epic proportions from South Africa

19.2
W
Mills to Philander, OUT

cut to short third man again who lines up a throw. There's a mix-up between the batsmen and Vincent, at the non-striker's end, collects the ball and shatters the stumps to dismiss Philander!

Vernon Philander run out (Taylor/Vincent) 2 (7b 0x4 0x6 10m) SR: 28.57

This is thrilling stuff

19.1
1
Mills to de Villiers, 1 run

full toss which he guides to short third man who fields. The non-striker is halfway down the pitch; third man throws down the stumps, misses, and the batsman throws himself back behind the line!

Seven needed from the final over. An exciting end to a match which South Africa really ought to have wrapped up easily by now

end of over 193 runs
SA: 123/6CRR: 6.47 RRR: 7.00
Vernon Philander2 (6b)
AB de Villiers50 (43b 4x4 1x6)
Jeetan Patel 4-0-17-2
Scott Styris 1-0-4-1
18.6
Patel to Philander, no run

close! Very close to getting an inside edge here

18.5
Patel to Philander, no run

he tries to late-cut this - a cry of catch it, but it falls short of a short third man. Good grief, why are South Africa even in this position? They've made a right hash of it

Mid-off comes back. Five in the circle

43 balls for his first Twenty20 fifty. He just needs to see South Africa home, now...

18.4
1
Patel to de Villiers, 1 run

and he smacks this straight down the ground. He won't get four, but it was well timed nevertheless

de Villiers is on 49

18.3
1
Patel to Philander, 1 run

ooh and he's almost turned around here, and gets a leading edge to long-off

18.2
Patel to Philander, no run

outside the off stump, he shuffles across and works it to leg

18.1
1
Patel to de Villiers, 1 run

dug out to cover

end of over 184 runs • 1 wicket
SA: 120/6CRR: 6.66 RRR: 5.00
AB de Villiers48 (41b 4x4 1x6)
Vernon Philander1 (2b)
Scott Styris 1-0-4-1
Jeetan Patel 3-0-14-2
17.6
1
Styris to de Villiers, 1 run

he stands tall and punches it to long-on for another simple single

17.5
2
Styris to de Villiers, 2 runs

a neat paddle down to fine leg, who is a little square and jogs around to save four

17.4
1
Styris to Philander, 1 run

worked to long-on for an easy single

17.3
Styris to Philander, no run

well bowled. Nice and full, swinging into the new batsman who clunks it back to him

17.2
W
Styris to Morkel, OUT

gone, beaten by the offie! Morkel mistimes it straight to Vettori at cover. A wasteful stroke, frankly

Albie Morkel c Vettori b Styris 9 (11b 0x4 1x6 12m) SR: 81.81
17.1
Styris to Morkel, no run

Morkel lines up a massive smite but instead works it to midwicket

Styris is into the attack

end of over 177 runs
SA: 116/5CRR: 6.82 RRR: 4.66
Albie Morkel9 (9b 1x6)
AB de Villiers45 (39b 4x4 1x6)
Jeetan Patel 3-0-14-2
Daniel Vettori 4-0-24-1
16.6
1
Patel to Morkel, 1 run

pushed to leg for a single

16.5
Patel to Morkel, no run

again he's beaten - that could so easily have been dragged onto his stumps

16.4
6
Patel to Morkel, SIX runs

but here's the big hit from Morkel with a Klusener-like pull for six over midwicket. Pure, ugly power

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