1st ODI: NZ v SA

Join us for the 2nd ODI on Wednesday 29th February Thanks for joining us for this first ODI of the three match series - we hope to see you in four days time for the second game in Napier. We'll be live from 2:45am South African time - join us then here at Cricket365. For now, its goodbye from me, Gareth Allison, and enjoy the Pakistan vs England T20 encounter later today.

Lots to think about for the New Zealanders Brendon McCullum is understandably less upbeat about proceedings; "We were looking to take that batting Powerplay a bit early, but we kept losing wickets. You cannot allow world-class players to get into the game, and we allowed AB to do that." They were probably also around 20 runs or so short, and unfortunately couldn't kick on in the final stages of their innings. The next game at McLean Park in Napier now looms large, and another loss there would mean that the series would be done and dusted with a game to spare.

Man of the Match Who else? AB de Villiers gets $500 from the National Bank and is all smiles. "We did really in the field to restrict them. They had a couple of partnerships, but we kept getting wickets, and that is where we won the game. It was a slowish kind of wicket, and it is important to build pressure on these kind of wickets. Faf did extremely well." Couldn't agree more.

A hard-fought but professional performance A clinical performance from the Proteas, despite losing the three big wickets of Amla, Smith & Kallis up front to leave them wobbling on 35/3 at one stage. Duminy struggled with the likes of Nathan McCullum and didn't look to be in the best touch, but he played a big part in helping captain de Villiers rebuild the innings. How crucial did that DRS decision in overturning the LBW shout against Faf prove to be in the scheme of things? If he had gone at that stage, NZ would have been well on top and in a great position to close out the game.

Over 45.2 Williamson 0-1w-1 Kane Williamson is thrown the ball for what turns out to be the final over of the game - a wide is then followed by a laid-back tuck behind square for the winning single. South Africa have done it, and they've done it ruthlessly - AB held the whole innings together, but du Plessis and Duminy stuck around and gave the support that was needed to get through the tricky patches. It's a victory by 6 wickets, with 28 balls to spare.

Over 45 Bracewell 4-1-4-0-1w-0 They're not done yet - du Plessis nudges another one to the fine leg fence, and de Villiers guides one to third man for yet another boundary. They've really come alive in the last ten overs - NZ haven't had an answer for this onslaught, built on that sometimes painstaking period in the middle overs where it looked like SA might let the rate run away with them. It's been calculated, brutal batting in the latter stages of this innings, and NZ will have many questions to answer after this second-half performance.

Over 44 Bracewell 1-6-4-4-1-0 Another century for AB - McCullum brings the field in, but AB still finds a gap to bring up yet another ODI ton, a match-winning one at that. Faf is ending this game in style now - a huge six to bring up his 50, followed by two leg-side boundaries where he freed his arms and pulled with authority. Breathtaking stuff, and it's good to see him finishing a game with an innings like this - his batting has had its critics, but he's setting this right with this magnificent innings with his captain.

Over 43 Southee 0-1-1-1lb-1-3w-0 Last roll of the dice - Southee, the strike bowler, to see if he can conjure up something special. He's gone for just under a run per ball today, not ideal from the fast man. He's steaming in, but these two are so well set now that they're seeing it early. Amazingly, the first extra of the innings arrives in the form of a leg bye - very unusual that the first extra comes so late in an innings. Southee spears in a yorker, but AB can still squeeze it away for a single. Three wides and it seems that NZ are losing hope and heart very quickly indeed. We're in the home stretch now...

Over 42 Bracewell 4-2-0-1-1-1 Bracewell again strays, its almost too easy for Faf: he flicks it away in the air to the vacant gap in front of square for another boundary. They've managed to raise and maintain the tempo just when they needed to, with du Plessis providing the perfect foil to his captain's innings. 37 runs off 48 balls needed.

Over 41 Ellis 1-0-0-1-1-1 A great yorker is somehow dug out by du Plessis, and its hands on heads for all the New Zealanders fielding nearby. The men in black are starting to look a little downcast, but they've still got a sniff (although admittedly less of a sniff than they had about 5 overs ago).

Over 40 Nicol 2-1-1-6-6-1 Singles and twos are coming fairly easy now for the two Titans batsmen, but AB isn't content with that - a short ball dragged down is pulled with power a long way over the boundary. Six, and then another immediately after to end the batting powerplay in style. There was a man at long on, but it went way, way, way over his head. AB moves into the 90s now as well - a key innings and leading from the front as he so often likes to do.

Last over of the powerplay now. South Africa have used it well so far; Rob Nicol to rejoin the attack in an effort to make that sorely-needed breakthrough. Can he do it for his captain?

Over 39 Ellis 0-1-1-4-0-1 Brendon McCullum gambling now by bringing back the medium-pacer Ellis into the attack. He puts one slightly leg-side and full, and it's whipped in the air for a boundary square - good shot and an ordinary delivery that. McCullum is letting his frustration show now, moving his field around in an attemt to unsettle AB who pretends to be coming down the pitch before staying put and defending.

Over 38 Franklin 1-1-0-1-1-1 Faf seems to be having a go now, with de Villiers playing the supporting anchor role. I'm sure he needs no reminder of the last time he was batting in an ODI against NZ in that fateful World Cup quarter-final last year - he would dearly love to turn the tables here. Stable, solid over from James Franklin, who many thought wouldn't be in today's team after sustaining a finger injury in training yesterday. SA require 74 off 72 balls now.

Over 37 Southee 1-0-1-1-4-4 A drive out to the sweeper greets Tim Southee, who is into his 8th over. An extremely quick single from two extremely quick batsmen, du Plessis was home comfortably again. A slow cutter halfway down the pitch gets the treatment it deserved, with Faf clouting it to the vacant boundary at wide long off before another boundary comes courtesy of a clumsy fielding effort on the cover fence. Exactly what the Kiwis didn't want - two boundaries in one over, and captain McCullum is summoning James Franklin now to have a bowl.

Over 36 Bracewell 2-1-1-0-1-0 2 runs come from an overpitched delivery, AB clips to leg and the two then take turns in turning over the strike for the couple of few balls.

Over 35 Southee 1-0-4-0-0-4 Ooh, a little bit of reverse-swing for the returning Southee, and he almost snuck one through Faf's defences. He does well to drive an attempted yorker straight, and it was very well timed indeed, the bowler got a finger on it but to no avail. The keeper comes up to the wicket, but Southee gives the batsman a full toss on leg and it's easily tucked away for another boundary. Striving for the yorker there, but it went wrong for NZ.

Time for a breather The players will enjoy some drinks - take this moment to catch your breath. We're going to be in for a tight and exciting finish here, methinks.

Over 34 Bracewell 4-1-1-2-1-0 Faf has got the memo now too: he also uses his feet beautifully to loft one over the covers for a well-timed boundary. A few more of these shots will give SA some breathing room with the required rate sitting at just under 6.5 an over now. Bracewell raps du Plessis on the pads, and the umpire's finger goes up! The Black Caps are jubilant, but the South African reviews it...and its a good review for SA! Hawk-eye shows the ball was too high, and he survives. Massive moment in the game there - SA also reach the 150 immediately after.

Over 33 Nicol 1-0-0-0-1-6 Nifty footwork sees AB coming down the track and clobbering Rob Nicol for a large six over wide long-on - that was a big one. He loves hitting in that arc, and ruins an otherwise tight over from the NZ opening bat.

Over 32 Bracewell 1-2-0-1-0-1 Faf gets quite far across his stumps to whip a ball square to leg - dangerous practice that. Bracewell won't mind it at all. de Villiers and du Plessis went to school together and play for the same franchise together (the Titans), so they'll be used to batting together and chasing totals.

Over 31 Mills W-1-1-0-0-1 Nicol strikes, and JP lobs an easy looping catch back to the bowler - WICKET. The stand is finally over, and you can see the relief on Nicol's face as he hurls the ball into the night sky. Duminy falls just short of a battling half-century, he's gone for 46 and is replaced by Faf du Plessis. Faf gets himself off the mark, before AB goes to his fifty in a fairly subdued manner; he knows that he needs to put in a lot more work to give his side a chance of getting over the line.

Over 30 Ellis 1-1-0-0-1-1 Mid-wicket is moving a little straighter in an attempt to cut off AB's leg-side scoring antics - he responds by punching one down the ground for a leisurely one. It's 125/3 after 30, as Duminy ends the over by guiding one on the move down to third man - large amount of runs scored there in these middle overs of ODIs.

Over 29 Mills 1-0-0-0-0-1 Tight, attritonitial cricket this; almost like an early 1990s ODI match. There don't seem to be any demons in the pitch (certainly not a huge amount of turn), so South Africa just need to keep their heads and make sure that the scoring rate doesn't balloon out of hand. AB attempts a strange shot that falls in no-man's-land behind the bowler - a half pull/drive hybrid that was as ugly as a fairytale step-sister. De Villiers was lucky to get away with that one.

Over 28 Ellis 4-0-4-0-0-1 Beautifully played from JP - he threads the needle between gully and point for a welcome boundary. Perhaps that last over from Mills was the tonic he needed; he's placed another one delicately in a similar area and Ellis shouts in frustration. Captain McCullum looks nonplussed at the width being offered to Duminy. Nine runs off that over, and SA need more like that to ease the pressure on them and their team.

Over 27 Mills 1-1-1-1-1-2 Good running - Duminy drops one down from Mills and they scurry through before AB decides to block-guide the next one to third man. Brendon McCullum has turned to his opening bowler to try and make the breakthrough and put the Black Caps firmly on top. Duminy seems to be enjoying the extra pace of Mills, the ball coming onto the bat a lot easier than McCullum's darting off-spinners.

Over 26 Ellis 0-0-1-0-0-1 An interesting change now, as Andrew Ellis hands his cap to the umpire. He batted decently earlier, let's see what he can do with the ball. He has one wicket to his name, but to be fair this is only his third ODI - bowling right-arm medium-fast. Brendon McCullum is standing up to the stumps, and one bangs him in the hand. Ouch! Looks painful, but he's got to get on with it. Only two runs from Ellis' first over.

Over 25 N McCullum 1-2-1-1-1-1 JP uses his feet to McCullum with no success - he still can't quite work out how to get him away consistently. A rare wide ball can only be carved away for a couple, deserved to hit to the boundary but Nathan gets away with it. The one hundred comes up for the men in green and gold - a long way to go still.

Over 24 Nicol 1-0-1-1-1-1 5 runs off the over, as Duminy and de Villiers attempt to keep the score ticking over. They're going to have to start hitting the odd boundary to keep the pace soon, and they do have a batting powerplay in hand.

Over 23 N McCullum 1-0-1-0-0-0 Duminy drives, but keeps hitting back to the bowler. More tight stuff from McCullum again, JP just can't seem to figure out how to score from him. Getting cooler in Wellington, spectators breaking out blankets in some areas of the ground.

Over 22 Nicol 0-0-1-1-1-6 NZ keeping the pace off the ball, replacing Southee with Rob Nicol's gentle off-spin dobblers. They may try and target him here, getting a minimum of a run a ball with the odd boundary - and AB does just that, rocking back and bludgeoning it to leg for a six. Southee dived but couldn't get near it. Great shot.

Over 21 N McCullum 1-1-0-1-0-1 A rare bit of flight from Nathan, and JP drives a little more fluently to pick up a single. It's been ages since we had a boundary; some good fielding from Martin Guptill makes a tight single tighter, but good running sees AB easily home. Duminy continues to be all at sea, not middling it much and getting inside edges.

Over 20 Southee 1-0-0-1-0-0 NZ aren't letting up, strangling the run-rate with every dot ball. You feel that Duminy is going to feel that he needs to try something soon to get things moving - the Black Caps just biding their time here and doing their basics right.

Over 19 N McCullum 1-0-1-1-0-0 Duminy is looking a bit more positive now, but McCullum is playing out of his skin, fielding several off his own bowling and throwing his body around. These are the little things that all add up and sustain the pressure on the batsmen, causing them to panic and play a rash stroke.

Over 18 Southee 1-2-0-1-0-0 Southee still running in, his white zinc sunscreen on his lips making him look slightly more intimidating. He's keeping it fairly tight as well, backing up the miserly Nathan at the other end. South Africa a little quiet at the moment - a run a ball would help their confidence. Required rate is around 5.7 an over at the moment.

Over 17 N McCullum 1-1-0-1-0-0 These two running nicely between the wickets now, turning the strike over. McCullum persisting in his line around the wicket to AB. but it hasn't seemed to deter the South african captain much, as he works the deliveries to leg easily.

Drinks Hard to pick a favourite at this stage - if NZ can winkle out another one in the next few hours, you'd have to say they'd be favourites. Crucial partnership this for South Africa. Let me know your thoughts via Twitter: @boundarycricket

Over 16 Bracewell 0-0-1-1-1-1 The bowling powerplay is in effect - a ball short of a length is absolutely smacked to the mid-wicket boundary, but AB picks out the fielder there. Duminy looking uneasy in comparison, mis-timing the ball and struggling to get it away at times. It's time for drinks here in Wellington, and a fascinating contest is playing out between these two old foes.

Over 15 N McCullum 0-0-0-1-1-0 Duminy is not looking comfortable at all here against the older McCullum - insists on playing off the back foot despite the bowler sliding it through. AB still has to contend with the bowler bowling around the wicket to him, presumably to try and cut off his favoured leg-side scoring area.

Over 14 Bracewell 0-0-0-4-0-0 AB pulls a short ball from outside off with brute force, muscling it in front of square for four. There was a slight chance, but the fielder wasn't close enough to get there. Not afraid to play his shots, but he must make sure the ball is there to be hit first - another wicket now will really put the cat amongst the budgies, so to speak.

Over 13 N McCullum 0-1-0-0-1-1 It's Nathan McCullum now, and he's coming around the wicket to the right-handed de Villiers. Bowling his off-spinners fairly flat around 90 km/h, and Duminy almost perishes by playing back to one that was skidded in - oh dear. Dangerous to do that against this type of bowler, you're making yourself susceptible to being out bowled or LBW.

Over 12 Southee 0-2-0-1-1-1 The captain helps a wayward ball to leg - second slip has come out now. Duminy slaps an awkward looking shot down, and AB whips out the third-man block to pick up an easy single. He's really perfected that stroke, has AB - I haven't seen another player get it right quite like he does. Very effective.

Over 11 Southee 3-0-1-0-3-0 It's Southee again, replacing Kyle Mills. AB unveils his cheeky little half-block guide to third man, but slip prevents it from getting too far - he decides to show off his straight driving abilities and reaps 3 runs from it. His confidence is palpable out there.

Over 10 Bracewell 4-0-0-0-W-1 Classy shot to a ball going down leg, and Kallis collects another four with some sweet timing - it won't be two consecutive maiden overs for Dougie Bracewell. A shorter ball works and Kallis has to go - OUT! Hoicked up to square leg, and an easy catch - it's a soft dismissal. The captain is up next, and AB scurries a run off the first ball he faces to open his account. The phrase "captain's knock" could have been invented for a situation exactly like this.

Over 9 Mills 1-1-0-0-0-1 The stumps do a great fielding job, deftly stopping a straight drive from Kallis and preventing four runs. Mills is doing his best to keep it tight, with or without assistance from the woodwork - after 10 overs SA are only scoring around 3 runs an over.

Over 8 Bracewell 0-0-0-0-0-0 Forcing shots off the back foot from the left-handed Duminy, but the Cobras batsman doesn't manage to get them away. Doug Bracewell, nephew of former NZ coach John Bracewell, is the new bowler in place of Southee - he starts with a maiden.

Over 7 Mills 0-4-0-0-0-2 A back-foot punch over mid-wicket earns Kallis his first four - played it in the air, but no one back there due to the fielding restrictions. Seemed to be an attempted bouncer from Mills; he pitches it up after that boundary. Another leg-side delivery is carted away by King Kallis, he picks up two for that effort. Kyle Mills looked a little out of sorts that over all of a sudden.

Over 6 Southee 1-0-0-0-0-2 Kallis gets off the mark by chopping one to the third man region; a confident back foot drive from JP only finds the fielder. He looks to be in good nick, timing another one down the crowd for a couple. He and Kallis are key for the Proteas here early on - the middle-order can be the side's weak point, and the longer they keep it from being exposed the better.

Over 5 Mills 0-W-0-2-0-0 WICKET, right after the first one. Smith drives and edges straight to Ryder at slip, New Zealand are over the moon and why shouldn't they be? SA have lost both openers in the space of 3 balls, and Duminy comes out to face the music in place of AB. He drives for a double past point - Kallis will have the strike next over. Lots of hard work ahead for this pair.

Over 4 Southee 1-3-0-1-4-W Teamwork on the boundary limits another luxurious Amla cover drive to 3 runs. Smith misses on going across him but flicks nicely for a single - that was timed a lot better and could have sped away for four but was well stopped in the infield. Southee errs on the full side, and you can't bowl in that area to Hashim and expect to get away with it. A glorious glance hits the fence, and it's four to the Dolphins batsmen but Southee gets his revenge - BOWLED! Oh dear, inside edge onto the stumps. Big breakthrough, and Southee roars with delight.

Over 3 Mills 4-0-0-0-1-0 We have the first boundary, courtesy of former skipper Smith. Punched through the off-side in the air, but luckily found the gap. He's not looked assured at the crease just yet, and has a fiddle outside off before learning his lesson and leaving one alone. Big big shout for LBW, a swinging yorker but it hit a big inside edge and not the toe as initially thought.

Over 2 Southee 0-0-0-0-1-0 In runs Southee, who's had plenty to say to the batsmen in the preceding T20 series. Smith doesn't use his feet much in the early part of his innings, and is doing so again here - slight hint of swing for Southee.

Over 1 Mills 0-0-0-0-1-1 Amla unveils several of the exquisite cover drives he has become so well known for, but can only find the fielders. A smart single almost results in Smith being sent on his way, a direct hit would have had him. Smith then flirts with disaster again by edging a ball that held its line towards the slips, falling short. Lots of oohs and aahs from the NZ players, they'll be looking to gain an early psychological advantage in the field.

We're ready to go at the Westpac Stadium The players are back on the field in Wellington, and we're all set for the chase. It'll be the usual opening combo of Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith to start off for the Proteas, with Kyle Mills standing at the end of his run-up waiting to bowl the first over.

Join us in half an hour for the second innings We hope you'll join us for South Africa's run-chase in about half an hour's time. If you'd like to drop me a line on Twitter to chat about the game, feel free - you can tweet me at @boundarycricket. In the meantime, why not catch up on the latest happenings in the CB Series down in Australia? Sri Lanka are riding high at the top of the table: http://www.cricket365.com/basket/14849/story/7541507/Australia-bat-first-Watson-still-out

An innings that promised more NZ will feel that many of their batsmen wasted starts; Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson, Rob Nicol and even James Franklin all got themselves in but perished when they could have kicked on to help NZ to a far more formidable total. Jesse Ryder, too, will be disappointed with his brief innings and will be hoping for some redemption in the field.

South Africa require 254 runs at 5.08 runs per over Graeme Smith will be hoping to continue his form from the tail-end of the home series against Sri Lanka into this game. Withcontenders such as Richard Levi & Alviro Petersen jockeying for his slot, he will want to show that he still has plenty to offer the ODI side in the opening position.

New Zealand end their innings on 253/9 South Africa will be confident that 254 is a gettable score on this ground - the boundaries aren't the longest in the world, and the pitch seemed to play easier as the NZ innings went on. SA bowled well and with discipline, although Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis proved to be a tad expensive. They did, however, pick up two wickets apiece, vital wickets. NZ will have to work hard to defend this total - the swing, seam & bounce with the two new balls at the top of the Proteas innings will be key - if the Black Caps can extract a similar amount of response from the hard ball that the visitors did, then things could become quite difficult for Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and co.

Over 50 M Morkel 1-1-0-6-W-1-4 Morne to take the final over, and Nathan puts his all into a massive swing that would have taken the ball all the way to Australia had he connected it. He makes amends the very next delivery, sitting back and waiting for a ball short of a length - takes it aerial, and it just lands over the boundary for a maximum. OUT though, bowled swinging at a full, straight one from Morne, and Nathan goes trying to valiantly increase the total. Tim Southee comes in and clobbers a boundary off the last ball of the innings to take his team past 250 - 253/9 to be exact.

Over 49 Steyn 1-1-1-0-1-1 SA are behind the over-rate here, despite quite a few overs of spin from Peterson and Duminy - we've seen MS Dhoni fined and suspended recently for repeated offences. McCullum scrambles a few singles and, importantly, will have the strike for the next over.

Over 48 Peterson 1-2lb-0-W-1-1 Nathan fashions a single before Dougie Bracewell is OUT, stumped! AB's got his man. Nothing shot from Bracewell, it was heading down the leg-side, called a wide but he's still out and NZ are collapsing tamely here.

Over 47 Steyn 0-1-1w-0-0-1-W Here comes Dale Steyn once again - still swinging it in the 47th over. A leg-side wide is followed by a play and miss from Nathan, a good delivery. A solid drive down the ground only yields a single. Beautiful crack of ball on bat there as it was timed beautifully for little reward. Extra pace, and BOWLED HIM. Ellis is gone, its the old adage of "you miss, I hit" and another one bites the dust for the Kiwis. They just can't seem to find the late acceleration to the innings that they craved. Again, it's the aditional ball from the extra that takes the wicket at the end of the over.

Over 46 Peterson 1-0-1-0-1-1 JP attempts a run-out, but misses the stumps. He looks distraught, but it turns out that the batsman would have been in. A tighter over than the last one, and Peterson did well there. There are a lot of people who are wondering how he can be preferred to Botha in this ODI side, and he won't have done his reputation any harm here.

Over 45 M Morkel W-2-0-4-4-2 Franklin couldn't get it right today - Amla takes the catch inside the circlet and that's OUT. Came off the toe of the bat whilst trying to loft one over the infield, and that's the end of an innings that never quite got going properly. Nathan McCullum is the new man, and a stifled appeal for LBW mars his first ball. Andrew Ellis gets a short one and pulls it with power, showing his team-mate Franklin how to get it done, and then he makes it two balls in a row that find the boundary. Poor length from Morne,, and that was an expensive six balls, despite getting a valuable wicket.'

Over 44 Kallis 1-1-2-0-0-1 Good running from Ellis turns a single into 2; lots of shots down to third man, opening the face and chopping the ball down. Kallis won;t be too concerned to be going for a run a ball at this stage of the innings,

Over 43 Tsotsobe 4-0-0-0-1-1 Four - Franklin helps a shortish delivery fine to the boundary, and that's a welcome boundary. Doesn't matter how they come, they all count and the Kiwis will gladly take them. Lopsy not settling Franklin settle in the rest of the over - the batsman looking more and more agitated with each delivery that he fails to get away. Good comeback from Lopsy after that first ball; the Warriors man has put in a good performance for his team opening the bowling here today.

Over 42 Duminy 1-0-1-2-0-1 Franklin gets a thick edge but it falls short of the point fielder - he was driving but got the line wrong there. Duminy whips through another quick over, but its still a good one as it goes for less than a run a ball.

Ellis and Franklin Andrew Ellis strides out to join Franklin - this is only his third ODI after making his debut against Zimbabwe. Can he and James take NZ to a defendable score against a Proteas attack that has bowled very consistently today.

Over 41 Tsotsobe 0-1-1nb-1-0-0-W There's a harsh call here on a no-ball from the umpire on Tsotsobe - part of the foot seemed to be behind the line, but it's been called and still results in a free hit for the batsman. Franklin can't do more than swat it to the square leg boundary for one though. Kane decides to take matters into his own hands, driving at a full ball angled across him, and it's OUT! Very good take from AB diving to his right, it died a bit on him and he did well to snaffle the chance. Big blow for the men in black - Williamson will be disappointed that he couldn't see out the innings. Tsotsobe won't mind that dodgy no-ball call earlier in the over that much anymore!

The last ten overs In summary, 32 runs were scored from those 5 powerplay overs, but most importantly is the fact that no wickets fell. NZ will look to up a gear or two now in these last ten overs and set the Proteas a target that they know they can defend. If their fast bowlers can get anything like the swing and bounce that Steyn, Morkel and co did, then it won't be an easy chase for AB's men.

Over 40 Kallis 1-4-1-1-1-1 A bit of width allows Franklin to free his arms and hit out, reaching the square boundary with a pounding cut. He'll feel a little better after that shot will the lefty, and with 11 overs to go he'll be looking for a few more of those. Kallis is unimpressed with himself there,

Over 39 M Morkel 1-1-1-1-0-1 Williamson goes to a fine 50 with a wristy shot worked through mid-wicket - well played, he's deserved that. Morne bowls a slower bouncer which Kane can't get hold of, and Franklin is starting to look a little frustrated that he's not getting the ball away as he'd like. Another good over for SA, keeping the runs low and making the batsmen work hard.

James Franklin Franklin hasn't really attempted to give it horns yet during this powerplay - will he have a go off Morne Morkel now?

Over 38 Kallis 1-0-2-0-1-1 Pace at both ends now, with Kallis back on - NZ still have wickets in hand, and will be aiming for a score of 250+ now. Not a huge crowd here at the Westpac Stadium, but hopefully more people will come in to witness what is turning out to be a fascinating encounter between these two foes. Back to Kallis now - he bowls a good slower delivery, Kallis, and Franklin can't get it away, you'll see a lot of changes of pace from now until the end of the innings. End of the over sees the Black Caps run-rate in the powerplay sitting at exactly a run a ball - they'd like a bit more than that.

Over 37 Steyn 1-0-2-0-0-2 6 men inside the circle, with 4 on the off-side now for Dale Steyn as he bowls to Franklin. They scamper two with a pull in front of square, leaving Dale unimpressed, although it was good running on the part of the batsmen. AB moving the field around, and Peterson does well in the field to save one with a great dive to stop a full-blooded Franklin cover drive.

Over 36 Peterson 1-1-1-4-1-0 Stonking back-foot cut from Williamson yields a boundary, and Robbie P can't afford to bowl that line to a well-set batsman like this. Leant back, cut it elegantly - beautiful to watch. A single takes him to 45 now, approaching a well-earned half-century. 8 runs off that first powerplay over for the Kiwis.

Powerplay time ...and we have the batting powerplay. Will Franklin have a go and leave Kane to play the anchor role and make sure he's there at the end?

Over 35 Steyn 0-0-1-1-0-1 Strike bowler Steyn is back to hurl his 145 km/h fireballs at the new man, with a slip in place. A good single into the covers, the fielder shied at the stumps but he would have made his ground if it had hit, ran like a hare did Franklin. His dislocated finger injury doesn't seem to be hindering him at the moment; batting solidly is the left-hander. It's another tight over from the Proteas again - good work from them today.

Over 34 Duminy 1-0-0-0-1-1 JP will be looking for a tight over to keep the batsman quiet and build the pressure on Kane, who is approaching 40 now. He looks a little tentative, prodding forward before rocking onto the back foot and punching it to the sweeper. The part-timer Duminy is doing a good job here - just 3 off that over.

Ryder under pressure Silly shot from Ryder - he got a pasting in the press after the last T20 for the way he batted, and he'll probably be in line for more of the same after that shot. Top edge, and Graeme Smith did well in the deep. Williamson needs to stay 'til the end of the innings now and make sure NZ get the score they want - remember, the batting powerplay still lies in wait. James Franklin is the new man in.

Over 33 Kallis 1w-4-1-4-1-1-W Shocker of a delivery from Big JK to start off the over - it was lucky to land on the strip! You don't see those very often from him - the next one is pulled to the boundary in front of square for four. Williamson didn't time it well, but the placement was good and the outfield did the rest. Ryder must have been inspired by that, as he pulls a similar length delivery over mid-wicket for a boundary of his own. This is turning into a big over for the Kiwis, and the pressure on them begins to ease a bit. Ryder gets carried away though, and pulls one straight up - good catch and that's a WICKET! Graeme Smith takes a catch, and that's Ryder gone for 6. Pressure back on.

Over 32 Duminy 0-1-0-0-0-0 JP gets through his overs quickly, not letting the new batsman Ryder settle in. Pushing them through, not a lot of flight being used here, and only a single from that over as Jesse attempts to play himself in here.

Where is Albie? We haven't seen Albie Morkel turn his arm over yet today - SA seem reluctant to bowl him in recent times. Strange. - Duminy comes back now with his off-spinners, trying to prise out another wicket to give the Proteas the advantage.

Over 31 M Morkel 0-0-1-1-0-1w-0 Jesse Ryder is the new man in, and he opens his account with a slash behind point, Kallis cuts it off on the boundary but they should have run two. Slightly sloppy from the Black Caps. A lot of responsibility now on Williamson to follow through and be there 'til the end for his team - Morkel is looking fired up and a rising ball hits Ryder in the ribs. That's the extra bounce Morne can get, and the batsman is struggling a bit here. After a few minutes he composes himself, but flashes wildly at a legside ball that is called wide. Some of the earlier wide calls from the umpires were close, but this one was spot-on.

Over 30 Kallis 0-1-0-1-2-W The Black Caps still have the batting powerplay in hand - will they take it soon with these two comfortable at the crease? Could be a good time to take it, putting the Proteas under the cosh even further. Kallis is back on the field, bowling straigher than in the last over. A stifled shout for LBW against Williamson, but it was going down leg - Kane hooks a short one beautifully where some great fielding on the boundary prevents the boundary. He's really impressed me today, has young Kane - don't forget that we still have Jesse Ryder waiting in the wings. And he may be coming to the crease as there's a WICKET! Wow, great catch - Peterson dove forward in the sweeper position, and the NZ captain is furious with himself. That's the breakthrough the Proteas desperately wanted!

Over 29 M Morkel 1-1-1-4-1-0 Its Morne again, but a change of bowler hasn't dampened the flow of singles just yet. These two are timing the ball well - a wild slash that goes over the field for four brings up the captain's half-century, risky shot. A bit of luck, but he's looked better and better after a shaky start. The sub fielder, Justin Ontong, fields the ball at fine leg, limiting them to a single. It seems Kallis is the man off the field at the moment...

Over 28 Kallis 0-4-0-0-1-1 Cutting loose now, is Brendon, with another four added to his name. Used his feet to come out to "Jakes" and he's seeing it rather large right now. Looking more like the McCullum we've become accustomed to over the years; AB de Villiers is looking worried, and rightly so. This partnership is steadying the ship and NZ will be looking at reaching 260-270 now. Williamson runs one down to third man nicely off the face for two to end a good over for the hosts.

Over 27 Tsotsobe 1-1-6-0-1-1nb-4 A great shot from McCullum sees Lopsy dispatched with disdain in front of square on the leg-side - that was big! It went quite a few rows back, he really connected well with that one. Taking on the short ball now too, and he's starting to look ominous after those three earlier lives (thanks to the DRS, of course and not due to any sort of cat blood in his veins). A no ball from the Proteas left-hander results in the extra delivery being clouted for four in a similar position to where the six went. Shoddy work from Tsotsobe there.

Over 26 Kallis 0-1-1-0-0-0 The world's premier all-rounder gets a go now, he has been known to be a partnership-breaker over the years. The singles keep coming, but a play and miss from Williamson to a length ball will encourage big Jakes. That's one of the few false shots from Kane so far today, he's batted well and been impressive so far. Kallis is looking fresh after being rested for the T20 series, and is working up a good pace already - a great player to have in your lineup! Meanwhile, this partnership is nearing 50...

Over 25 Tsotsobe 1-0-0-1-1-0 Lonwabo returns to disturb the all-spin format of the last few overs, and does what he does best: angles it across the right-hander forcing Brendon to play. The hundred comes up with a punch to the sweeper in front of square, and Williamson looks sure of himself as he pulls a shorter one to mid-wicket, albeit only for a single.

Over 24 Peterson 1-1-1-2-1-0 Tight single to point, the shy at the stumps misses, but McCullum would have been home. The run-rate in the last 5 overs has been nearly 7 runs an over, as NZ try and put their foot on the gas a bit here by milking Peterson off the back foot around the off-side field.

Over 23 Duminy 1-0-1-0-6-1 JP's bowling with his sunglasses here, and he'll need them as he scans the sky to see that slog-sweep from McCullum go over the bounday for six. Great timing from the captain, he seems to be relaxing a bit now. Golden Arm going for a few in that over, his captain needs him to make a breakthrough now as these two New Zealanders become more settled and sure at the crease.

Over 22 Peterson 1-0-0-1-1-1 The spinners getting the over-rate up, and the batsmen beginning to find the singles at will now. Changes of pace and flight will be key here for Peterson if he's to keep these two guessing and force the breakthrough. The sweeper fielder on the cover boundary doing a lot of work now, almost every ball that over.

Over 21 Duminy 1-0-1-0-2-0 Kane Williamson looks good playing off the back foot, classy stroke into the off-side. The running between wickets is good, getting two from one of the longer boundaries at long off.

Change of bowling It's JP Duminy to bowl his right arm off-spinners - these two enjoy spin, so it could be the perfect chance for them to maintain this little bit of momentum.

Over 20 Peterson 2-4-2-1-0-1 Great boundary from Williamson, rocks back and hits it square - he's looking more fluent than his captain. Peterson erring slightly with his line there, and a little more urgency is being injected here from the two Black Caps. Ten runs from that over!

Over 19 Steyn 0-1w-0-0-0-2-0 Another scare for captain McCullum as they go up for a catch down the leg side, but called wide. Poor call from the umpire, as it clearly hit the leg on the way past to AB. SA are applying the pressure here, the scoring rate is below 3.4 now and Brendon looks as if he wants to break the shackles here. Good running sees a shot to a wide third man become two runs, nicely done by these two batsmen - they need to get things going here and that's a good way to inject some urgency. Dale doesn't like that idea that, and Brendon ducks away into a ball that wasn't as short as he thought - bang, right on the shoulder.

Over 18 Peterson 0-1-0-0-0-0 Big shout from Robbie for LBW, but turned down. It looked outside the line, and SA review it. Touch and go here...and the replay shows an inside edge. Not out, and McCullum survives yet again - the DRS is his best friend today, and he continues by scrambling a single off the back foot to mid-on. He's not looking to be in the best touch, but this could just be his day after surviving three close calls so far. Williamson is defending the spinner stoutly, and AB is giving Peterson some vocal support from behind the stumps.

Over 17 Steyn 1-0-0-0-1-1 The Phalaborwa Express back in the attack, and he's still finding swing. McCullum plays a dangerous aerial shot that could have easily have gone to a fielder. Williamson then gets one that swings in massively, he left it alone but will probably think twice about doing so. There's one slip in place for the new man, perhaps there should be two with the ball doing so much? Another one beats the bat, and now AB does call for a second slip, a good move that.

Over 16 Peterson 0-0-W-0-0-0 The bowling powerplay brings a WICKET - Nicol swings at one from Robbie and edges it to slip. The safe hands of Kallis pouch it easily, and Nicol has thrown it away here. Good bowling from SA is rewarded. He's floating it up nicely here, varying his pace as well. Kane Williamson, the new man, just defends watchfully - a wicket maiden, and that's good stuff from Peterson.

Over 15.3 Peterson 0-0-W The bowling powerplay brings a WICKET - Nicol swings at one from Robbie and edges it to slip. The safe hands of Kallis pouch it easily, and Nicol has thrown it away here. Good bowling from SA is rewarded.

Bowling powerplay Here we go - will it be wickets or runs...or both?

Over 15 M Morkel 0-0-1-1-1-1 Brendon tries to clobber one through cover but misses completely, before managing to cut one away to the sweeper for a single. He's not quite looking as fluid as he can be at the moment. Its 58/1 as the over ends with Nicol getting one past point, but there's only a single in it for him.

Over 14 Peterson 1-1-1-0-1-1 The 50 is up for New Zealand; they're going along at around 3.8 runs an over right now. Peterson is getting through his deliveries quickly, trying to hurry the batsmen. Singles down to long off and cover, and these two are trying to keep the score ticking over.

Over 13 M Morkel 0-0-4-0-0-1 Morne is back after his two-over burst at the top of the innings, and once again shows good bounce to make it awkward for the batsman. Nicol then gets a shortish one and murders it square for a boundary - he really connected it beautifully there. A glare from Morne, he doesn't enjoy that at all; responds with an absolute snorter that gets the batsman hopping. It's not easy out there at all, but if these two stay there and fight, there's runs to be had on this pitch.

Over 12 Peterson 1-0-0-1-0-1 Second ball from Robbie P, and they all go up for a catch behind and GIVEN OUT. McCullum reviews for a second time, and he's right - no nick on that one, and he survives. Shrewd use of the DRS from the stand-in skipper - England would do well to take note here. AB looks disappointed, but there is turn already for Peterson. Brendon Mc celebrates his life by punching one for a single, and his partner Nicol finds the sweeper to add one to his total.

A change in the attack Here comes Robin Peterson - will there be any grip and turn for him this early on? Interesting move from AB, who has shown himself to be inventive in the field thus far in his captaincy career.

Over 11 Tsotsobe 0-0-1nb-1-0-1 Tsostobe angling it across Nicol, trying to tempt him to nick it behind. A bad overstep results in free hit for the dangerous McCullum - you can't afford to give him freebies like that but he can only get it away for a single to deep cover. Sharp work in the field ensures that the Black Caps turn down a tight single, wisely as well, but manage an easier one off the last ball to a deep mid-on, ending the over.

Over 10 Steyn 0-0-0-0-0-1 Dale is right on the money again, forcing Nicol to defend the first couple of deliveries. Interesting that Morne only had two overs before Steyn came into the attack - bowled beautifully as well. Back in the present, a ball is banged in short and Nicol saw it much better than the one that pinned him on the head last time around. A 144 km/h ripper is taken above his head by a leaping de Villiers, a great take that and Nicol edges streakily for a single to third man. Well fielded down there to keep them to a single.

Over 9 Tsotsobe 0-0-0-0-0-0 More back-of-a-length fare, and the NZ batsmen are looking unsure against this quality fast-bowling attack of the Proteas. McCullum defends off the back foot, leaves alone and gets out of the way as Lopsy gets a maiden.

Steyn unlucky so far With figures of 2 overs for 14 runs, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Dale Steyn has been bowling a bucket of pig swill, but he's been better than those figures suggest. He seems to be targeting Nicol, trying to soften him up and make him lose his cool - classic fast bowler stuff.

Over 8 Steyn 0-0-4-2-4lb-0 Past the outside edge again - SA have been putting the ball in the right areas for the most part so far. I say for the most part, as Steyn strays on the leg side and Nicol punishes it with a vicious flick to fine leg for a four. He didn't like that did Steyn, and he bangs Nicol on the helmet with a bouncer that the batsman took his eyes off - four byes, and that will wake him up!

Over 7 Tsotsobe 0-0-4-W-0-2 Guptill defends off the back foot - no worries about his footwork here as he then rocks back and punishes a short, wide one from Lopsy for four. He is a man in form, is Guptill, but then he gives it away - WICKET! Pitched up and he edges that straight to AB behind the wicket. The dangerman is gone, and the Proteas will be happy to see the back of him. And captain Brendon McCullum misreads a straight one and is rapped on the pads - he's OUT! The umpire raises his finger but upon review it seems that the ball would have passed over the stumps. How lucky was that - McCullum left a ball he should have played, heart-in-mouth stuff. Lopsy is bowling brilliantly here. A cracking shot into the covers is well stopped by the fielder, that will have hurt - brutal stroke. What an exciting over!

Over 6 Steyn 0-4-0-0-0-4 A peach of a delivery first up from the new bowler, Dale Steyn, but Nicol unleashes a cracking drive the next ball to pick up the first boundary off the bat. Dale responds well by beating the bat with a bit of away swing, and Nicol plays and misses - his footwork is looking a little unsure at the moment. He smashes the next one down the ground and gets another four, even though Steyn got a hand to it.

Over 5 Tsotsobe 1-0-1-0-0-0 The hard new ball is swinging, and the left-hander is angling the ball across the batsmen nicely. Nicol tries another ugly swipe that goes up in the air, lucky not to carry to third man for a catch - he seems panicky. He seems to have forgotten that this match will be contested over 50 overs and not 20 - plenty of time to play himself in and see off this new ball. Testing over from Lopsy.

Over 4 M Morkel 0-0-0-0-0-1 Some great deliveries from Morne again - line, length and bounce for the big man and Guptill is lucky enough to pull his bat out of the line, before having to veer out of the way of a vicious-looking bouncer. Wow - he's spot-on this morning is the Titans man. The first LBW shout of the day is optimistic at best, going down leg and may have been an inside edge as well. Guptill perhaps feeling the heat a little here - he eases the pressure slightly with a single backward of point to end a great over from the bowler.

Over 3 Tsotsobe 0-1lb-1-4b-1w-0-0 Nicol seems to still be in T20 mode as he dances down the pitch and swings wildly, missing the ball completely and lucky not to be bowled. He clips one off his pad for a leg bye before Guptill gets a comfortable single before Lopsy's bouncer goes for four byes over keeper AB's head - oh dear! A harsh legside wide follows...tight call, very tight.

Over 2 M Morkel 0-0-0-0-1w-1 Its the younger, faster, taller Morkel to take the new ball from the other end; he's getting some good bounce already and Nicol fends one away backward of square before nibbling and missing outside off. A wide is then called for a ball that pitched on off and rose sharply towards the leg side - slightly harsh but encouraging movement so far. Nicol repeats his slap to wide third man for a single, albeit more sloppily, and some good signs for the SA quicks in that over.

Over 1 Tsotsobe 0-0-0-1-0-0 Lopsy takes the opening over for the Proteas, and Nicol looks circumspect before steering one into the offside for the first run of the game. Guptill too looks watchful, leaving a couple as Tsotsobe pitches it on the off-stump line, searching for some early swing.

Play about to start The players are out on the field - looks a beautiful day in Wellington. Here we go - the ODI series is about to kick off. Welcome to you all, wherever you are in the world.

The pitch AB de Villiers mentioned at the toss that he would have liked to have had a bat first, as this pitch is looking a decent surface to bat on. The Proteas will be hoping to strike early to disrupt the rhythm of the highly in-form Martin Guptill and Rob Nicol - these early overs could be explosive indeed!

NZ Team Update James Franklin has recovered from the injury he picked up on Friday (dislocated little finger on the right hand), and is in the starting XI for the Black Caps today.

Toss New Zealand have won the toss, and they have decided to bat first at the "Cake Tin".

Greetings Hello and welcome to our over-by-over commentary of the first match of the three-ODI series between New Zealand and South Africa at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

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