INDIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2018
Record-breaking Kohli stars in easy win
Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Fri, 16 Feb, 2018, 11:51 PM
Kohli scored his 35th ODI ton and recorded the most runs by a batsman in a bilateral series © BCCI
A target of 205 against an in-form Indian top order was never going to be enough. Especially with the skipper being in a red-hot dream streak, it was a total that was tipped to be a walk in the park in India's quest to clinch the series 5-1. And it panned out exactly the way it was predicted to be. Virat Kohli was the chief architect again with another hundred arriving in a successful run chase. In the process, he went about breaking a few records as well.
The chase began in style with Rohit Sharma cracking a couple of delightful cuts off Morne Morkel. But the extra bounce generated by Lungi Ngidi at the other end led to his downfall as he gloved one to the keeper while attempting a pull. South Africa clearly had a ploy to bowl short to the Indian skipper and they almost pulled it off by employing a leg slip, who was close to sending Kohli back to the dressing room very early in his innings. They overdid it as Kohli became increasingly severe on the pull fetching boundaries at will to race to 28 off 20 at the end of the powerplay.
He then went past Kevin Pietersen's tally to score the most runs in a bilateral series in South Africa before breaking Rohit's tally for most runs by a batsman in any bilateral ODI series. Sandwiched between the two was a tame dismissal for Shikhar Dhawan and a few more boundaries off Kohli's blade. With a lot of talk surrounding India's middle order, Ajinkya Rahane walked out to the middle with an easy target in front of him. With Kohli going all guns blazing, Rahane's task became simpler. Kohli then played one of the gorgeous shots of the series through the covers to go past 500 runs in the series. No man in the history of the format had done that before in a bilateral series.
With Imran Tahir also failing to make a breakthrough, the result was a foregone conclusion by the halfway mark. The Indian skipper then hammered the leggie down the ground to bring up his 35th ODI ton was then in a mood to finish things off quickly. Tahir bore the brunt as the veteran got slammed for a couple of sixes and then another one straight past him that put South Africa out of their misery.
Earlier in the day, India had made only one change to their XI in the dead rubber, bringing in Shardul Thakur for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Whereas South Africa on the other side, made wholesale changes as four players were replaced from the previous game including experienced middle order batsmen JP Duminy and David Miller. Shardul made an instant impact despite getting hit for boundaries early on as the seamer got rid of both Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram. While Amla gloved a rising delivery down the leg side to the wicketkeeper, Markram failed to get the required elevation as Shreyas Iyer at extra cover took a well-judged catch.
Khaya Zondo, who had looked decent against the wrist spinners earlier in the series, once again looked assured against both Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal. He led South Africa's revival alongside AB de Villiers, who had come in at number three but just when the hosts had appeared to gather some momentum, India applied the brakes. Chahal let one slip through de Villiers' defence to castle him and the likes of Heinrich Klaasen, Farhaan Behardien and Chris Morris followed suit, leaving Zondo waging a lone battle.
Zondo managed to help himself to his maiden half-century but just when South Africa needed him to bat in the final ten overs, Chahal enticed him into playing a false stroke. Andile Phehlukwayo and Morkel did some damage but even 100 more runs on this surface against a rampaging Kohli wouldn't have been enough.
Brief scores: South Africa 204 in 46.5 overs (Khaya Zondo 54, Andile Phehlukwayo 34; Shardul Thakur 4-52, Jasprit Bumrah 2-24) lost to India 206/2 in 32.1 overs (Virat Kohli 129*, Ajinkya Rahane 34*; Lungi Ngidi 2-54) by 8 wickets
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T20I TRI-SERIES 2018
Live Cricket Score - New Zealand vs Australia, 5th T20I, Auckland
Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Fri, 16 Feb, 2018, 03:21 PM
Live Score Updates Australia 245/5 (18.5 Ovs) Finch 36 (14) New Zealand 243/6 D Arcy Short 1-0-19-0 Australia won by 5 wkts Live Scores Full Scorecard
Guptill smashed the fast T20I ton for New Zealand before he fell for 105. © Getty
That's all from us folks! Hope you enjoyed the cracking contest. Until next time then ...
Here's what the players had to say about the contest:
D'Arcy Short, Man of the Match: Great run chase for the boys. Feels good. We knew we had the firepower; we had to go hard and get off to a flyer. Chasing 240, we had to just attack. Definitely more fun being a batsman. Just kept backing ourselves.
Kane Williamson: It was a very good surface, a very small ground. Both sides batted outstandingly well. We've seen scores on the lower side here. We though we had a good score at the halfway stage. It's a tough one. It's hard to be too critical. Mitch - He's been outstanding for us. He has been going extremely wel, but injuries happen. We need to bounce back quickly. We need to be nice and smart (in Hamilton)
David Warner: What a fantastic effort by the guys. You just got to take scoreboard out of it. From 0/60,we brought it back; you couldn't err on this ground. Fantastic knock from NZ as well. I have said from day one, have a lot of energy, have fun, keep a smile on your face. (Advice to the bowlers)Keep trying to execute the best ball. Fantastic surface - credit to the curator Lots of fours and sixes, that is fantastic for the batsmen. 240 odd wasn't enough. Early wickets will be the key.
Just seen the score Aus v NZ! Well done to both teams on pure entertainment! — Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) February 16, 2018
When you take the bowler out of cricket, you take out cricket itself. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 16, 2018
#NZvAUS Auckland T20I
488 runs - Second highest match aggregate after 489 in WI vs Ind in Lauderhill, 2016
32 sixes - Joint most no. of sixes in T20Is alongside the above WI vs Ind T20I — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
THAT'S THAT: Australia have created history at the Eden Park. They chase down 243 with five wickets in hand in 18.5 overs. Finch remains unbeaten 36 off 14 and ended the chase with a massive six.
Rampant Australia, with a steep chase ahead of them, weren't shy to deliver some early punches as well. D'Arcy Short was scratchy early on and picked up three consecutive boundaries off outside edges and an inside edge. Warner too took time but got going with rather ease as Australia posted 91 for no loss after the Powerplay.
New Zealand didn't respond too well to the pressure put on them and the bowling was wayward at best from the pacers. Such was the striking in the first innings that it had impacted the mindset of the bowlers. Picking up boundaries had become default while singles, or doubles, were an event.
Warner finally fell, in the ninth over, when he was bowled by an Ish Sodhi wrong 'un. Australia by then had already posted 121 and the Australia captain had 59 off 24 to his name. New Zealand had hit 11 sixes in the first 11 overs and at the same mark Australia had struck seven to bring the equation down to 101 off 54.
Australia lost Chris Lynn for not much but Glenn Maxwell (31 off 14) and Short took the game away from New Zealand with a 56-run stand. They reduced to the equation to 42 off the last four overs. Short fell for 76, trying to pull a short ball from Trent Boult, but his knock ensured Australia needed just 17 in the last three overs. Aaron Finch remained unbeaten on 36 off 14 to polish off the target.
On the night, when England needed Australia to do them a favour, David Warner and Co. pulled off something special to keep the English hopes alive. Eoin Morgan and his boys now need to beat Australia in the last game of the tri-series to seal a place in the final.
Highest targets chased down in 20-over cricket:
244 Aus v NZ, Auckland, 2018 *
232 WI v SA, Johannesburg, 2015
230 Eng v SA, Mumbai WS, 2016
226 Sussex vs Essex, Chelmsford, 2014#NZvAUS — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
SHORT DISMISSED: Short ball does Short. He goes for the pull but doesn't connect. Caught by the 'keeper. Boult gets the wicket. Australia 227 for 4 and need 17 off the last three overs.
WICKET: The 56-run stand between Maxwell and Short comes to an end. Maxwell bowled by Southee. Australia need 45 off 28 now.
BIG WICKET: De Grandhomme has picked up Lynn. Full and outside off, slapped to sweeper cover. Australia 149 for 2.
Maiden T20I half-century for Short. He gets there of 30 balls. Australia 143 for 1 after 11 overs. They need 101 off 54
Twenty-year-old Mitchell just won $50k for taking a catch at the cricket. The accounting student sensibly says he wont blow it all tonight #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/jCZ6HyYzV3 — Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) February 16, 2018
FIRST WICKET: Warner has been bowled by Sodhi with a wrong one. Australia captain falls for 59 off 24 and the visitors have 121 on the board in the ninth over. Lynn out now. Where's the breather the bowlers are looking for?
Highest scores in PP in T20Is:
91/1 Net v Ire, Sylhet, 2014
91/1 Ire v Afg, G Noida, 2017
91/0 Aus v NZ, Auckland, 2018 *#NZvAUS — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
1st over: 11
2nd over: 16
3rd over: 16
4th over: 8
5th over: 22
6th over: 18
Excellent powerplay for Australia. They are 91/0. #NZvAUS
Current run rate - 15.17; required run rate - 10.93
Follow: https://t.co/pGP40z7EL3 — Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 16, 2018
Warner 50 off 20 balls ...
100 UP: So out of 243, 100 have been polished off in just 7.1 overs. Warner now has 44 off just 18. Short 45 off 25. New Zealand feeling the heat.
POWERPLAY DONE: Did you write Australia off? They've now hammered 91 for no loss in just six overs. Warner 39*. Short 38*.
Two scores of 240+ in New Zealand in the last two months. Am going to put up a red flag. Flat pitches, small grounds, sixes for fun will make T20 boring. A six has to be an event not a default shot. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 16, 2018
50 UP - Australia have raced to 51 for no loss after four overs...
The one time England want Australia to win, they go and concede 243 in 20 overs... — Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) February 16, 2018
Poor DArcy Short, dropped catches always sting harder when next ball some 17yo on MDMA caps in the crowd sticks a one hander. Lol — Alex Williamson (@AlexWilliamson8) February 16, 2018
The perfect chance to avenge the Johannesburg disaster of 2006. 400 seemed impossible and until it happened twice in one game. #NZvAUS — Dan Ranson (@danranson_) February 16, 2018
What a catch in the crowd to win $50,000NZ #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/1cEX6zsRkF — Dan Henshaw (@DJ_Hench) February 16, 2018
END OF INNINGS: So Australia did exceptionally well but managed to post 246 for 6. They were 212 for 2 before the bowlers picked up quick wickets to dry up the runs. Not a safe total with short boundaries and a placid track. Four wickets in last four overs have certainly hurt New Zealand. Having said that, Australia now need to pull off a record chase. Guptill and Munro scored 132 for the first wicket. Munro made 76 while Guptill carried on to post his second T20I ton.
Should be a cracking chase, folks! Stay tuned ...
HIT-WICKET: Another wicket falls now. Short ball from Stanlake and Chapman is late on the pull. It shatters into the helmet and such was the force that the helmet came off. It fell on the stumps and the left-hander has to walk back. He has a smile on his face but that was a nasty blow.
New Zealand 220 for 4 after 18 overs.
Most T20 International hundreds:
3 Colin Munro
2 B McCullum/ C Gayle/ E Lewis/ R Sharma/ G Maxwell/ M GUPTILL#NZvAUS — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
END: So Guptill finally falls for 105 off 54. His ton has set up New Zealand for a massive total. What an end. Full toss and he doesn't connect well. Caught at midwicket. They check for the no ball. Looks fine and just below the waist. The front foot is fine as well. Australia can certainly breathe a bit easy now.
New Zealand 214 for 3 after 17 overs. 18 balls to go!
49-BALL TON: Martin Guptill, gets to his second T20I ton off just 49 balls. New Zealand have touched 200 in the 16th over. Consecutive sixes to get to the landmark.
New Zealand 206 for 2 in 16 overs.
Agree?
Eden park is so small they should bat with a stump instead of a willow to create a better contest. ICC should ban play and force NZ to play on a regulation size ground. — jim maxwell (@jimmaxcricket) February 16, 2018
Brilliant and well deserved from @Martyguptill !! Top of the T20 runs leaderboard and a whole lot more to add over the coming years! Keep swinging @BLACKCAPS !! — Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) February 16, 2018
TWO DOWN: Seifert gone. Agar gets the wicket. Slapped to midwicket. Chapman has come out to bat. After 13 overs, New Zealand have raced to 156 for 2. Guptill, the dangerous looking opener, is still there.
RECORD: Guptill is now the highest run-getter in T20Is. He's got 2142 runs now and goes past Brendon McCullum.
New Zealand 152 for 1 in 12 overs.
FIRST WICKET: Well then, relief for Munro. The 11th over started pretty poorly for Australia. Tye was hit for three consecutive sixes before Munro mistimed one and hit it straight to long-on. Munro falls for 76 off just 33. 11 sixes already in the first 11 overs. Australia are looking at big, big chase already.
New Zealand 139 for 1 in 11 overs.
10 OVERS DONE: Fifty for Guptill off just 30 balls. New Zealand have raced past 100. Munro gets to his half-century two balls later. 114 off just 60 balls so far. No respite for the Australian bowlers. There's nothing in the track. Small boundaries. This is a nightmare Australia weren't prepared for.
1st over - 12 runs
2nd over - 13 runs
3rd over - 6 runs
4th over - 12 runs
5th over - 13 runs
6th over - 11 runs
New Zealand are off to a flyer!#NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/e4jFOKzI1c — bet365_aus (@bet365_aus) February 16, 2018
POWERPLAY DONE: Dominating start from New Zealand here after opting to bat. They've raced to 67 for no loss after six overs. Guptill is batting on 39 off 23 and Munro is on 24 off 13.
Australia have turned to spin now. Pressure on Agar to stem the run flow.
Alright then folks! The game is underway. Guptill has picked up 12 from the first over from Kane Richardson.
Heres the deck for tonights T20I between New Zealand and Australia!
Play to start at 5PM AEDT #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/VT2f30L0Oj — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 16, 2018
AJ Tye is pumped to be in Auckland and wants to SKITTLE some Kiwi timber #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/ujIPwhTzyl — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) February 16, 2018
I have to admit that this Australian T20I team is the best I have seen in a while. Warner's captaincy is working out pretty well as expected. More importantly, each and every player has a well defined situational role to play. #AUSvNZ #TriSeries — Prasenjit Dey (@Prosen02) February 16, 2018
TOSS: New Zealand opt to bat.
Australia are unchanged. Ben Wheeler replaces Mitchell Santner for New Zealand.
Australia: David Warner(c), D Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Ashton Agar, Andrew Tye, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake
Biggest crowd since the World Cup expected at Eden Park tonight... Good idea to get down there as early as possible so not to miss the action! #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/KcWwZdhkcT — BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 16, 2018
BUILD-UP: New Zealand can secure a spot in the T20I tri-series final with victory against a rampant Australia in Auckland.
With the series shifting across the Tasman, the Black Caps enjoyed the comforts of home in their tight 12-run victory over England in Wellington on Tuesday to move them on the cusp of securing a final's berth.
After a lacklustre effort in the tri-series opener against Australia in Sydney on February 3, New Zealand ended a three-match T20I slump with a much-needed confidence-boosting victory over winless England.
Aided by the inspired selections of former Hong Kong batsman Mark Chapman and wicketkeeper Tim Seifert, New Zealand's batting order looked far more potent as they posted a match-winning total of 196 for 5. The debutants added desperately needed firepower at the death and bookended superb performances at the top from veteran opener Martin Guptill and captain Kane Williamson.
With an eclectic bowling attack, headed by No. 1 T20 bowler Mitchell Santner, New Zealand are confident of defending totals and they calmly thwarted England's determined chase to notch an important victory.
Apart from a surprise series defeat to Pakistan last month, New Zealand have been almost impregnable at home in recent times and will need to muster the support from their parochial crowd to knock off unbeaten Australia.
Reinvigorated through a makeover, the new look Australia booked a spot in the final after sweeping through their home leg with a trio of convincing victories. Even though he is tiring, as evidenced by his continual struggles with the bat, stand-in captain David Warner has led with aplomb and galavanised this new group as Australia enjoys a purple patch not seen in this format for several years.
Australia has found the right combinations with mercurial allrounder Glenn Maxwell stealing the show with a trio of outstanding performances at No. 4. Veteran batsman Aaron Finch returned last start in Melbourne and showcased his flexibility by producing the finishing touches of the run chase with some fireworks at No. 5. His ability to bat in the middle-order - which he has shown over the years in the Indian Premier League - allows newcomer D'Arcy Short to stamp himself at the top of the order. After failing in his first couple of hits, Short showcased his talents with an eye-catching knock at the MCG with the promise of more to come.
Undoubtedly, Australia has been aided by Warner winning the toss in every match and electing to bowl first - which has proved to be a successful formula much like England's penchant in the 50-over arena. It will be interesting to see how Australia adapt if they bat first and, conversely, how their inexperienced attack defends a total.
In what could be a preview of next Wednesday's final at the same venue, there is plenty on the line for both teams amid an emotionally charged atmosphere at Eden Park.
© Cricbuzz
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INDIA TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2018
Live Cricket Score of South Africa vs India, 6th ODI
Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Fri, 16 Feb, 2018, 11:22 PM
Live Score Updates India 206/2 (32.1 Ovs) Kohli 129 (96) South Africa 204 Tahir 7.1-0-42-0 India won by 8 wkts Live Scores Full Scorecard
Zondo scored a patient half-century. © BCCI
The V-I in Virat stands for 5-1? — Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) February 16, 2018
Kohli bags everything
Is that even a surprise? Three hundreds in the series including an unbeaten 129 tonight. He is the man of the match and he is without a doubt, the player of the series as well.
Incredible
This was South Africa. Where India has always stumbled. And it is 5-1. Who would have thought! I — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 16, 2018
Kohli day, jolly day. @imVkohli made no 35 look ridiculously easy. ????????#INDvsSA — Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 16, 2018
Canter!
That's what it was! An absolute stroll in the park. India have chased it down with 107 balls to spare. Let that sink in. Kohli smashes Tahir down the track to seal the win. Kohli remains unbeaten on 129.
Dropped!
Stop the press! Virat Kohli has miscued one tonight and yet, South Africa fail to make use of the chance. Not that it's going to make a difference to the final result but still....India are running away with this. Just 31 more needed now.
Century number 35
82 balls, 17 boundaries and I can bet you that one can keep watching all 17 of those over and over again. The 17th boundary was hit straight past Tahir to bring up the three-figure mark. It's his 35th in ODI cricket. One of his most fluent hundreds this was. He is simply extraordinary! He is now the first Indian batsman to register three hundreds in a bilateral series.
Vaughan is off again!
He is off again ... @imVkohli ... Grestest ever chaser ... #SAvIND — Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 16, 2018
Definitely is!
This is batting straight out of a computer game. #SAvIND #Kohli — Kaushik Rangarajan (@kaushik_cb) February 16, 2018
OMG!!!
Just look at those shots! He is just timing them brilliantly tonight and in the process, Virat goes past Rohit Sharma's record to score the most number of runs in any bilateral series. He has now gone past 500 runs this series. Insane!
50.....again
He has been breathing fire today. Playing so freely chasing just 205 and he gets to another half-century. He now has a chance to bring up his 35th ODI ton today.
Dhawan falls
He was getting impatient and desperate with the runs only flowing from Kohli's blade. Eventually, he picks out backward point. He has had a top class series though. Rahane comes in at number 4.
Virat Kohli has now scored most runs in a bi-lateral ODI series in South Africa going past @KP24's tally of 454 runs in 2005. #SAvIND — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 16, 2018
Kohli is on fire
He is in red hot form. When hasn't he been in red hot form especially in limited overs cricket? Kohli is playing some gorgeous shots here as India race to 63 in the powerplay after Rohit's wicket. In the 11th over, the duo take the partnership past fifty as well. All too familiar.
Rohit falls
Extra bounce to the fore again! Rohit has played a couple of delightful shots but now fails to control a pull against Ngidi. The ball hits the glove and balloons up in the air to be taken by the keeper. India aren't making any changes to the batting order. It is Kohli at 3.
All Over! South Africa bowled out for 204
India are well on course for a 5-1! Shardul Thakur finishes off the South Africa innings in the 47th over, picking up his fourth wicket! India were all over South Africa today and the hosts never really forced a turn of tables.
Six aaannnddd OUT!!
Morne has had enough. He wants to target Hardik Pandya and is successful initially as the ball sails over deepmidwicket for a six. Hardik then bowls one short and wide and this time, the connection isn't good enough to carry the ball over the ropes. Shreyas Iyer takes the catch. South Africa are eight down now!
Impressive!
Most wkts in a bilateral series for India:
18 J Srinath v NZ, 2002/03 (7 mat)
18 A Mishra v Zim, 2013 (5)
17 KULDEEP YADAV this series *
16 Y CHAHAL this series * #SAvIND — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
Morkel survives
Surprise! Surprise! It took a long time but then ball tracker confirms that Morne Morkel has indeed survived a lbw decision given against him. Chahal bowled one full that hit the batsman on the pad after his attempt to sweep failed. But there is turn on this surface for the leggie and with the ball having a fair distance to travel, it misses the leg stump.
He is a goner!
Well bowled Chahal! He entices Zondo with a tossed up delivery outside off, Zondo drives it up in the air and the ball lands safely for the batsmen to pick up a couple. The leggie does it again though and this time, the batsman ends up chipping it tamely to Hardik, who runs in from the boundary to take the catch. South Africa crumble!
Kuldeep is hurt
Kuldeep pitches a googly a little shorter as Phehlukwayo hits it back at him. The catch is dropped but that wouldn't worry India. Kuldeep has hurt his finger on the right hand and there's blood. The physio is out there to treat him. He is ok to resume bowling.
Fifty for Khaya
It's been a very good innings. Zondo reaches his first fifty in ODI cricket and it has come at a crucial time. He isn't pleased with the way things have gone in the last 45 minutes or so but he has to bat till the end now.
Poor shot
What was he thinking? South Africa needed him at the death. There are 17 overs left in the innings but Morris decides to take on Kuldeep. There is no conviction in this shot as he attempts a plain slog to gift Kuldeep his first wicket of the game. Zondo is watching helplessly on 49 at the other end.
Khaya Zondo was on 36 off 36 balls at the time of first drinks break.
He is on 48 off 64 at the time of second drinks break (scored 12 off 28 balls, faced only 28 out of 90 balls).#SAvIND — Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 16, 2018
Superb catch!
India have struck again! This is a familiar tale for South Africa as India keep chipping away. Shardul comes back into the attack to pick up his third wicket as Behardien tries toupper cutand is caught in superb fashion by Bumrah at third man. He covered a lot of ground and took a tumbling catch. SA five down as Morris joins Zondo.
Klaasen falls
He took his time to get his eye in and had slowly started to impose himself with some quick boundaries but just when South Africa were looking to build momentum, India strike again. Kohli has been giving Klaasen an earful during his brief stay and now he gives him a mild sendoff as well after taking a crisp catch. Klaasen wanted to drive the slower delivery but ends up hitting it straight to Kohli at short cover.
India are putting the brakes on the South African innings. Inevitable once AB got out. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 16, 2018
Timber!
Chahal slips in a quicker one to AB and the superman is castled! What a huge huge wicket this is for India. The hosts needed AB to bat deep into this innings but unfortunately, it's not happening today.
Zondo survives
The batsman has a big smile on his face! Zondo misses a sweep off Chahal and is rapped on the pad. As a result, he is given out. It looked plumb but after discussing with AB, the batsman takes the review. Replays show that the ball brushed the glove a touch and hence, the decision is overturned. Zondo then celebrates that in style by pulling Chahal over deep midwicket for a six as the crowd erupts. Dhoni wants Chahal to bowl the wrong un and the batsman responds in style by pulling it for another six to bring up the 100 for SA. This guy is looking good.
Resolute Zondo
As we witnessed earlier in the series, Khaya Zondo has surprisingly looked comfortable against the spinners compared to the other established players. Zondo has been able to read Kuldeep and now he smashes successive fours to create doubts in the bowler's mind. With Chahal also into the attack, Zondo also remains key in tackling the spin threat. SA are 72/2 after 17 overs so slowly they will have to think about upping the ante.
AB is the key
As Kohli introduces Kuldeep into the attack, South Africa will be keeping an eye on AB. After losing both Markram and Amla, the last thing they want is to lose AB with the wrist spinners being in the thick of things. He has to look to bat until the 40th over. Tough but that's the challenge that's been put in front of him.
Shardul has another one
Well, he has leaked a few boundaries but he has also bagged two wickets. Shardul rolls his fingers and bowls this one a bit wider making Markram reach for the ball. He connects but doesn't get enough elevation as his attempts to clear extra cover fails. Shreyas Iyer, who has had slippery fingers on this tour so far, judges it to perfection and gobbles a very good catch. South Africa are already in trouble here. 43/2 after 10 overs as Zondo joins AB out in the middle.
MS Dhoni becomes the third wicket-keeper to take 600 catches in international cricket after Mark Boucher and Adam Gilchrist. #SAvIND — Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) February 16, 2018
Thakur lands early blow
He has been finding some good bounce on this surface. He has been treated to some boundaries early on but this time, he gets a wicket with a delivery bowled down leg. Amla tried to help it on its way but ends up gloving to the wicketkeeper. Thakur is pumped. It's been a very ordinary series for Amla.
Crowd get excited though as it is AB de Villiers who walks out to bat at number three.
Harsh tour for Manish and DK
So @im_manishpandey is in the team for Fielding only?@Narbavi — Vishal Gupta (@vishalsahar1999) February 16, 2018
Fair point
Im genuinely curious about Kedar Jadhavs fitness. He was rested because of a hamstring niggle...has he not recovered? Any update from the management? #SAvIND — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) February 16, 2018
India's unbeaten run
As we wait for the first ball, here's a brief recap of India's stellar run in ODI cricket. They have now won nine ODI series on the trot.
Toss - India opt to bowl
Well, we were wondering if Kohli would put his middle order to test but he has opted to chase. He believes chasing on this hard surface can prove to be quite a challenge in itself. India have rested Bhuvneshwar Kumar and have brought in Shardul Thakur in his place. That's the only change whereas South Africa have four changes to their XI. WOW!! Rabada has been rested whereas Duminy and Miller will have some jitters after being left out.
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni(w), Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
South Africa (Playing XI): Hashim Amla, Aiden Markram(c), AB de Villiers, Khaya Zondo, Farhaan Behardien, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel, Lungisani Ngidi
Time to test bench strength?
Our man at the ground Kaushik Rangarajan predicts Bhuvneshwar Kumar to get some rest. I would personally like Bumrah to get some breather as well. He has bowled the second most number of deliveries this year, just behind Kagiso Rabada. Kaushik has spotted Shardul Thakur bowling as well so we might see him play. How about the middle order? I wonder what the likes of Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik will be going through. Should they get a look in? You have your say.
The top order's impact
It's been discussed a lot recently. India have been over-reliant on their top order. The top three has done the bulk of the scoring so it's quite harsh to blame the middle order as well. But how much impact exactly have Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli actually made? Our statsman has come up with his analysis here.
Build up
How many dead rubbers in a limited-overs series carry a lot of significance? Hard to find many especially if it's a six-match series where one team managed to dominate the other. In spite of that, India have a lot riding on this final game of the series. Yes, South Africa have been hit by injuries to key players but one cannot take away India's achievement of winning a bilateral ODI series for the first time in South Africa. They have clinched the series 4-1 already and yet they have issues to sort out.
India's middle order is wobbly. They haven't stepped up to the plate. Ajinkya Rahane looked to have sealed the No.4 debate with a match-winning half-century in the first ODI but hasn't done much since then. Shreyas Iyer, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya haven't been able to force the pace as well. India also have an issue with their sixth bowling option. In Kedar Jadhav's absence, it's been hard to trust Hardik Pandya with the task of bowling ten overs. He did bowl well in the previous game but the big question is, can he be consistent? And if he isn't, then who is going to fill in?
South Africa's problems are familiar. The backups simply haven't been good enough. Even the established players are struggling against India's wrist spinners. The work against spin is still in progress. They will be pleased with Hashim Amla finally finding some form but he needs to kick in and carry on to post big scores like he used to. Welcome to the live blog for the sixth and final ODI. Tweet in your opinions to @Narbavi and have them featured on the blog.
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TRANS-TASMAN TRISERIES, 2018
Australia pull off highest T20 chase to seal fourth consecutive win
Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Fri, 16 Feb, 2018, 03:25 PM
D'Arcy Short top-scored in the historic chase with 76 off 44 balls. © AFP
Australia registered the highest chase in the history of Twenty20 cricket as they handed New Zealand a five-wicket thrashing by polishing off 243 in just 18.5 overs at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday (February 16).
With a placid track ahead of them and short boundaries already intimidating the bowlers, New Zealand had no hesitation in batting first. Ahead of the contest, Marcus Stoinis had urged his team not to get intimidated by the size of the ground and stressed, "there are not as many bigger scores as you think there might be here".
The Australian all-rounder, probably, won't have any hesitation in eating his words back as New Zealand hammered 243 for 6. D'Arcy Short made 76 off 44 to see Australia home and help them register their fourth consecutive win of the tri-series.
For Australia, though, the carnage started right from the very beginning. Guptill picked up 12 runs from the first over by Kane Richardson and continued by taking 13 from the second over. Munro too joined the party after facing just one ball in the first two overs. It was Munro's assault that put Guptill's knock in shade till it lasted.
New Zealand had raced to 66 in the Powerplay and were extremely well placed at 114 for no loss after ten overs. Munro then took on Andrew Tye, hitting three consecutive sixes, before he was caught at long-on off the fourth delivery. Munro had smashed 76 off 33 before Guptill took over to race to his second T20I ton.
Generally in T20s, words like hammered, slapped, clubbed and other synonyms are thrown around nonchalantly. At Eden Park, they turned out to be appropriate adjectives to the shot-making as batsmen managed to produce absolute carnage. To add to that, Guptill and Munro picked up the right night to make a mockery of the bowling and the boundary ropes.
Australia's pace, and at times lack of it, came back to hurt them. When it was bowled faster, it went even further. Ashton Agar's left-arm spin tied down the batsmen just a touch as he bowled three overs for just 24 for one wicket. Tye's stock deliveries were punished and when he did turn to his variations he was deposited into the stand without a fuss. He ended his four overs with two wickets but had also leaked 64 runs to end with fifth worst figures in T20Is.
Guptill took 30 deliveries to get to his half-century and raced to his ton in the next 21 deliveries. He got to the landmark off 49 balls with consecutive sixes and registered the fastest T20I ton by a New Zealand batsman. In between, he also became the highest run-getter in T20Is and went past Brendon McCullum's tally of 2140 runs.
Guptill's knock helped New Zealand race past the 200-run mark in the 16th over. That's when Australia fought back to dry up the runs in the next three overs. Three wickets fell as Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme and Kane Williamson struggled to get going. Ross Taylor smashed 17 off six to lift the side over the 240-run mark.
Rampant Australia, with a steep chase ahead of them, weren't shy to deliver some early punches as well. D'Arcy Short was scratchy early on and picked up three consecutive boundaries off outside and inside edges. Warner, too, took time but then got going with rather ease as Australia posted 91 for no loss after the Powerplay.
New Zealand didn't respond too well to the pressure put on them and the bowling was wayward at best from the pacers. Such was the striking in the first innings that it had impacted the mindset of the bowlers. Picking up boundaries had become default while singles, or doubles, were an event.
Warner finally fell, in the ninth over, when he was bowled by an Ish Sodhi wrong 'un. Australia by then had already posted 121 and the Australia captain had 59 off 24 to his name. New Zealand had hit 11 sixes in the first 11 overs and at the same mark Australia had struck seven to bring the equation down to 101 off 54.
Australia lost Chris Lynn for not much but Glenn Maxwell (31 off 14) and Short took the game away from New Zealand with a 56-run stand. They reduced to the equation to 42 off the last four overs. Short fell for 76, trying to pull a short ball from Trent Boult, but his knock ensured Australia needed just 17 in the last three overs. Aaron Finch remained unbeaten on 36 off 14 to polish off the target.
On the night, when England needed Australia to do them a favour, David Warner and Co. pulled off something special to keep the English hopes alive. For a spot in the final, Eoin Morgan and his boys now need to beat New Zealand in the last game of the tri-series and hope to upset them on the run-rate.
Brief scores: New Zealand 243/6 in 20 overs (Martin Guptill 105, Colin Munro 76; Kane Richardson 2-40) lost to Australia 245/5 in 18.5 overs (D'Arcy Short 76, David Warner 59) by 5 wickets
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