In the first One Day International (ODI) South Africa successfully chased down 230 runs and recorded a 6 wicket victory with 11 balls to spare. AB de Villiers and JP Duminy compiling a 139 run partnership.
The second ODI was similar to the first. After losing the toss to New Zealand, South Africa posted 282-9. New Zealand failed to reach the required target and South Africa won the match by 72 runs and the 3-match series 2-0.
In the third and final ODI, South Africa were on their way to posting another challenging target for New Zealand to chase down. South Africa would have completed a whitewash over New Zealand.
Although the Proteas were the better of the two sides, New Zealand's Luke Ronchi was the highest run scorer. He may not have scored a century but he scored 178 runs in his matches. Ronchi scored 2 half centuries and had a high score of 99, just 1 shy of a century.
Hashim Amla and de Villiers also scored big, with only 10 runs separating them. Amla scored 169 runs, and scored the only century of the series, which was his 16th ton. He high scored with 119 runs. De Villiers scored 159 runs, although he did not score a century, he scored an unbeaten 89*. Both these South African skippers were named man of the match for their high scores.
Earlier today Quinton de Kock appeared to be on track for his 4th century of his career before the rain intervened and forced a no result. De Kock was on 80* when play was called off after striking 11 fours. In the first ODI, he took 6 dismissals to join cricketers such as Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and many others. In 27 ODIs de Kock became the fastest to reach 50 ODI dismissals.
Unfortunately, top order batsman Rilee Roussouw only scored 26 runs and was the only player to be dismissed with a duck twice.
None of the bowlers really starred with the ball. The most wickets taken by a single player was 4. South Africa's Vernon Philander, Imran Tahir and New Zealand's Trent Boult each took 4 wickets. Philander had good bowling figures of 2-27.
We all knew de Villiers could bowl. But he usually bowled during Test cricket. In the second ODI, de Villiers took two wickets for 28 runs in 6 overs.
The Proteas head to Australia for their tour which consists of 3 T20's and 5 ODIs.
The first match being on the 5th of November in Adelaide.
AUSTRALIA
5 November: 1st T20 , Adelaide
7 November: 2nd T20 , Melbourne
9 November: 3rd T20 , Sydney
14 November: 1st ODI, Perth
16 November: 2nd ODI, Perth
19 November: 3rd ODI, Canberra
21 November: 4th ODI, Melbourne
23 November: 5th ODI, Sydney
