Cricket | Zealand on top after bowling out SA for 204 in 2nd ODI

Doug Bracewell

Doug Bracewell took three wickets on his recall to the team to give New Zealand the advantage in the second one-day international after bowling out South Africa for 204 yesterday.
Seamer Bracewell removed Rilee Rossouw, big-hitting David Miller and top-scorer Farhaan Behardien for his ODI career-best 3-31, raising New Zealand’s hopes of levelling the three-match series.
Behardien made 70 and shared a half-century partnership of 54 with tailender Vernon Philander (30 not out), the best stand of the innings for South Africa.
Adam Milne took 2-39 to back up Bracewell after South Africa opted to bat first on a slow wicket at Senwes Park.
South Africa was already struggling at 188-7 before it lost its last three batsmen to run outs. Dale Steyn’s was the most bizarre of those run outs as he got his bat stuck in the pitch and dropped it as he reached out to make his ground.
Bracewell — recalled after missing the 32-run loss in the first ODI — and Milne adjusted far better than the South African batsmen to the lack of pace in the pitch in Potchefstroom.
Milne removed both openers, Hashim Amla for eight and Morne van Wyk for two, and when Bracewell had Rossouw out to an easy catch to mid-off, New Zealand had South Africa 68-3 and in big trouble.
Captain AB de Villiers made 31, but his departure left South Africa exposed.
Behardien’s 70 off 87 balls with five fours and a six was measured and what South Africa desperately needed, but New Zealand kept the pressure on throughout and the Proteas limped to 204. AP