South Africa clinches thriller against New Zealand in first ODI, equal own 12-match ODI winning streak

AB de Villiers and Andile Phehlukwayo kept their nerves still and helped South Africa clinch a thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand on the penultimate ball of Sunday’s first one-day international played at Hamilton.

The Proteas equalled their own record of 12th straight wins on the trot.

De Villiers helped South Africa to get back into the game after the side lost three wickets for one run in the space of six balls.

The batting genius then ensured that his side see a comfortable cruise to victory transformed into a desperate struggle which ended when de Villiers hit a boundary for victory. South Africa ended on 210-6 in 33.5 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 207-7.

De Kock had guided South Africa to 125-2 in the 22nd over but the home side made inroads to make the contest an interesting affair. 

De Villiers lost a host of partners before he got an able partner in Phehlukwayo who took the game till the finish line and help South Africa equal record of 12 straight ODI wins, set in 2005.