Papps stars in New Zealand's victory

New Zealand 190 for 5 (Papps 92*, Harris 22*) beat South Africa 186 for 9 (Prince 47, Ntini 42*) by 5 wickets
Scorecard

Ashwell Prince: top-scored with 47 but couldn't prevent another South African defeat at Napier

Michael Papps stamped his authority on a low-scoring game with an innings that was in keeping with his prolific domestic form, as New Zealand denied South Africa any last crumb of comfort with a comprehensive five-wicket victory at Napier. His 92 saw New Zealand past the target of 186 with four overs remaining, clinching the series 5-1. That South Africa got to 186 at all was a minor miracle, with Makhaya Ntini and Albie Morkel putting together a rip-roaring last-wicket partnership of 67 after the top order had collapsed in abysmal fashion.

Papps and Stephen Fleming opened the innings on the same pitch where South Africa had collapsed to 40 for 6 earlier in the day, but unlike the South Africans, they had confidence in their strokeplay. And their task became easier, as Shaun Pollock and Ntini sprayed deliveries wide while striving for pace and swing. Papps countered the swing by standing outside his crease and driving down the ground, while Fleming stood tall and flicked the ball off his pads.

They put on 58, before Fleming hit the ball to square leg and sauntered back for a second run. Ntini's throw from the boundary found Fleming (32) short of his crease.

Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris and Chris Cairns departed soon after, and with New Zealand at 115 for 4, South Africa had a toe-hold. Papps wasted no time in shutting the door. He dared the fielders to throw down the stumps, and summoned a variety of shots that scorched the field.

Though Pollock and Ntini had more success in their second spells, the damage had already been done. Papps was immoveable by now, playing like he belonged to international cricket. Chris Harris, who continued his good form to score a quick unbeaten 22, helped keep South Africa at bay with his quick running and well-placed shots to the boundary.

South Africa's day hadn't started too well either. Batsman after batsman perished in pretty much the same way, as they hung their bat out, unsure whether to play forward or back, to defend or attack. Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Boeta Dippenaar, Shaun Pollock and Mark Boucher fell to tight bowling by Michael Mason, Daryl Tuffey and Jacob Oram (40 for 6).

The bowlers stuck to a line, and let the batsmen make mistakes. It could have been worse, as Lance Klusener and Ashwell Prince began nervously, before bunkering down to play long innings. While Prince got his cover-drives going, Klusener strained at the leash to have a go at the bowlers, but kept his adrenaline in check. Once in a while, however, his pent-up energy would be released in a miscued blast that found its way to the boundary.

Klusener departed when Daniel Vettori ran him out, and Prince (47) - on the verge of his first fifty - followed, when he smashed a ball back to Jacob Oram. The score soon read 119 for 9, with Ntini and Morkel at the crease.

Ntini (42 not out) didn't play like a lower-order batsman. He lashed out freely, and it was refreshing to see a South African player unencumbered by the situation. Ntini knew his mind, and went through with his shots. When Harris was brought on, he tonked sixes over long-on, and later pulled out a magnificent cut shot.

Meanwhile, he scampered between the wickets with Morkel, whose demotion gave him the chance to play his natural game. A fierce pull was followed by a straight-drive, and together, they put on the highest partnership of the innings.

But as had been the case throughout this series, South Africa's efforts were nowhere near enough, against a New Zealand side that are now a genuine force in the one-day arena.