Tri-Nation Series highlights for SA vs. NZ’s second ODI: With a victory of six wickets on Monday, Kane Williamson advanced New Zealand to the final, surpassing the record-breaking debut ODI hundred of South African opener Matthew Breetzke. Following his half-century against Pakistan on Saturday, Williamson scored an undefeated 133 off 113 balls, his first ODI century since the 2019 World Cup, and led New Zealand to 308/4 for their second straight victory.
With a strong 187-run second-wicket partnership against a weaker South African speed bowling attack, Williamson and Devon Conway set up the run-chase. Following Friday’s tri-nation series final, seven players, including fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, are expected to join the South African squad for the Champions Trophy over the weekend.
Conway fell for 97 while trying to reach the century mark with a square cut, while Williamson reached his second quickest century in ODIs with a single off 72 balls.
After Rachin Ravindra was hit on his forehand in the field during New Zealand’s crushing 78-run victory in the opening game at the recently refurbished Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, Conway was added to the playing XI.
When left-arm spinner Muthusamy took the wickets of Tom Latham (10) and Daryl Mitchell (10) in quick succession, the middle-order from New Zealand momentarily faltered. Latham then fell for his second consecutive duck of the tournament.
The match was sealed by an unbroken 57-run partnership between Williamson and Glenn Phillips (28 not out), whose maiden ODI century had swept New Zealand to a decisive victory over Pakistan on Saturday.
With eight balls remaining, Williamson hit Muthusamy through mid-off for his 13th boundary, extending the lead.
Breetzke, a rookie opening batsman who is not included in South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad this month, shattered the mark of 148 set by West Indies batsman Desmond Haynes in 1978 with a hammer of 150 from 148 balls against Australia.
Breetzke’s blitz helped South Africa score 304-6.
The 26-year-old Breetzke formed a 93-run partnership with Jason Smith (41) — another batter who was passed over for the Champions Trophy — following the loss of skipper Temba Bavuma (20) on the power play. With some thrilling hitting, particularly off the side of the wicket, he increased the scoring rate. He also shared 131 runs with Wiaan Mulder, who scored 64 off 60 balls.
With a bold square cut boundary off fast bowler Will O’Rourke, Breetzke reached his century off 128 balls and needed just 20 more balls to beat Haynes’ 47-year record. In addition, he became the fourth South African batsman to reach a century in his first ODI, behind Colin Ingram, Bavuma, and Reeza Hendricks.
As South Africa amassed a respectable score, Breetzke was finally removed after hitting 11 boundaries and five sixes when he misread Matt Henry’s slower ball and was caught at mid-off. Henry (2-59) and O’Rourke (2-72) each claimed two wickets, but Breetzke hit Ben Sears for 20 runs in a single over, leaving him with 0-65.
Karachi will host the tri-nation series.
With the victor of the South Africa vs. Pakistan match on Wednesday facing New Zealand in the final on Friday, the competition has now moved to Karachi, one of the three stadiums upgraded for the Champions Trophy. On February 19, Karachi will host the Champions Trophy opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand.
