Matthew Breetzke’s historic 150-run knock on his ODI debut went in vain as New Zealand stormed into the final of the tri-nation series with back-to-back wins.
Kane Williamson, who had last scored consecutive centuries in the 2019 World Cup, ended his five-and-a-half-year-long century drought in ODIs. The experienced batsman finally rediscovered that elusive feeling of reaching three figures. Devon Conway, on the other hand, fell just short of his century. Their record-breaking partnership powered New Zealand to a historic run chase.
Despite Breetzke’s brilliant innings, South Africa couldn’t hold off New Zealand, who clinched their second consecutive win to book a spot in the final.
In Lahore on Monday, the Kiwis secured a six-wicket victory, chasing down the 305-run target with eight balls to spare, thanks to Mitchell Santner’s team’s solid performance.
This was New Zealand’s highest successful run chase against South Africa in ODIs, surpassing their previous best of 298 runs in the 2015 World Cup semi-final in Auckland.
Williamson was the hero, crafting a sublime unbeaten 133 off 113 balls, featuring 13 fours and two sixes. He also sealed the victory in style with a boundary, reaching the milestone of 7,000 ODI runs in the second-fastest time (159 innings). Only Hashim Amla (150 innings) achieved it faster.
Conway played a crucial role, scoring 97 off 107 balls with nine fours and a six. His partnership with Williamson for the second wicket added 187 runs, setting a new record for New Zealand’s highest stand against South Africa in any wicket. The previous best was 180 runs between Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor in Hamilton in 2017.
At Gaddafi Stadium, New Zealand set the tone for the chase with a steady 50-run opening stand between Will Young and Conway. Young departed for 19 off 31 balls, giving debutant Ethan Bosch his maiden ODI wicket.
Conway and Williamson then took control. Conway reached his fifty off 64 balls, while Williamson smashed his half-century in just 44 balls with a six off Tabraiz Shamsi. His second fifty came even quicker, taking only 28 balls. This 72-ball century was his second-fastest in ODIs.
Though Williamson had not scored an ODI century in his last 21 innings, he had been in good form, with eight 50+ scores in his last nine innings, including dismissals on 85 and 95.
Conway fell just short of his century, caught brilliantly by debutant Senuran Muthusamy. Muthusamy then dismissed Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham in successive deliveries, but Williamson, along with Glenn Phillips (28* off 32), ensured a smooth finish.
Earlier, after being put in to bat, South Africa’s innings revolved around debutant Breetzke. Captain Temba Bavuma fell for 20, after which Breetzke built a 93-run partnership with Jason Smith, who scored 41 off 51 before getting run out. Kyle Verreynne departed soon after.
The 26-year-old Breetzke then put on a 131-run stand with Wiaan Mulder, reaching his century in 128 balls and quickly accelerating to 150 in the next 19 deliveries. His innings of 148 balls included 11 fours and five sixes before he was dismissed.
Breetzke became the first-ever player to score 150 on his ODI debut, surpassing the previous record set by West Indies’ Desmond Haynes, who scored 148 against Australia in 1978.
Mulder’s 64 off 60 balls helped South Africa post a competitive 304/6. However, their total proved insufficient against Conway and Williamson’s masterclass.
Match Summary:
- South Africa: 304/6 in 50 overs (Breetzke 150, Bavuma 20, Smith 41, Verreynne 1, Mulder 64, Bosch 7*, Muthusamy 2, Mpongwana 1*; Henry 2/59, O’Rourke 2/72, Sears 0/65, Santner 0/62, Bracewell 1/43)
- New Zealand: 308/4 in 48.4 overs (Young 19, Conway 97, Williamson 133*, Mitchell 10, Latham 0, Phillips 28*; Ngidi 0/54, Bosch 1/33, Mulder 0/32, Dala 1/47, Muthusamy 2/50, Shamsi 0/62, Mpongwana 0/25)
Result: New Zealand won by six wickets
Player of the Match: Kane Williamson
