As it happened | NZvSA: New Zealand beat South Africa by 4 wickets

New Zealand won by 4 wickets!

New Zealand defeated South Africa by four wickets in Match 25 in Cricket World Cup 2019 in Birmingham. 

New Zealand's Kane Williamson played a captain's knock as he smashed brilliant century to inspire the team towards victory. 

After electing to bowl first, New Zealand restricted South Africa to a modest total of 241-6 in their rain-delayed World Cup match. 

The toss was delayed due to a wet outfield that led to a game that was reduced to 49 overs a side. 

South Africa's batsmen, barring Hashim Amla and Rassie van der Dussen, failed to build on their starts in the face of a disciplined bowling effort from the Kiwis.

South Africa had hope while Amla was at the crease but that too faded after he was bowled for 55 by Mitchell Santner in the 28th over but Van der Dussen's unbeaten 67 gave them a respectable total.

Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets, while all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme contributed with an economical spell of 1-33 in his 10 overs.

48th Over

Almost a brilliant over by Ngidi. He took an important wicket but the last-ball boundary was just not in favour of NZ.

However, it showed Kiwi's class. 

8 runs needed off last over. 

Wicket!

Colin de Grandhomme out...It is the twist in the tale?

Will see that, but for now, Grandhomme departs after scoring 60 runs. 

Ngidi gets the breakthrough as Faffy takes a crucial catch, it was not easy. 

Next batsman is Mitchell Santner. 

47th Over

Rabada's last over of this match. 

3 runs from this one, and Rabada's bowling figure is 10-0-42-1. 

46th Over

Lungi Ngidi is back.

9 runs from the over. 

45th Over

Last over by Chris Morris. 

5 runs from this over. 

His bowling figure in this match is 10-0-49-3. 

44th Over

A very expensive over by Phehlukwayo. 

12 runs from the over. 

43rd Over

Faffy has called Chris Morris to bowl this over. 

3 runs from this over. 

42nd Over

Phehlukwayo is back into attack. 

It's his 7th over. 

6 runs from this over. 

41st Over

Rabada from the other end. 

6 runs from here. 

40th Over

Lungi Ngidi is back into the attack. 

Just 1 run from this over. 

NZ are 184/5. 

39th Over

A good over for New Zealand here...

Rabada comes back into attack and gives 10 runs. 

38th Over

Imran Tahir's last spell of this game. 

His bowling figure in this game is 10-0-33-0. 

There was a wicket chance, as Williamson edged into de Kock's gloves...

Why he did not review it???? It was out.

37th Over

Phehlukwayo has been expensive. 

9 runs from this one. 

36th Over

Imran Tahir's 9th over. 

6 runs from this one. 

35th Over

Chris Morris is looking for more wickets...

6 runs from this over, one boundary on the fifth ball of the over. 

34th Over

Another good over by Tahir, just 3 singles.

33rd Over

Chris Morris's 7th over. 

9 runs from here and a crucial wicket. 

Wicket!

James Neesham out...

Chris Morris gets the breakthrough. 

South Africa are not leaving any stone unturned. 

Neesham scored 23 runs before gifting a catch to Hashim Amla. 

Colin de Grandhomme is the next batsman. 

32nd Over

A slight expensive over by Phehlukwayo. 

11 runs from this over. 

Fans are enjoying the intriguing contest...

31st Over

Very good over by Rabada. 

Just 1 run from this over. 

30th Over

Change of bowler from the other end also, Andile Phehlukwayo is back into attack. 

5 runs from this over. 

New Zealand are 124/4. 

29th Over

Kagiso Rabada is back into attack.

It's his 6th over. 

and 4 runs from this over. 

28th Over

8 runs from the over. 

1 beautiful boundary came on the first ball of the over. 

It's Tahir's 7th over. 

Fifty up for Kane Williamson!

NZ skipper completes his half-century. 

27th Over

Another tight over by Ngidi. 

4 runs in this over. 

26th Over

Another good over by Tahir. 

2 runs from this over. 

25th Over

No run in this over, a maiden by Lungi Ngidi.

24th Over

Good over by Imran Tahir. 

Just 1 run here. 

There was a massive lbw appeal also but South African skipper Faf du Plessis did not review it, a good decision as it was pitching outside. 

23rd Over

Wicket-taking pacer Lungi Ngidi is back into the attack. 

5 runs from the over. 

New Zealand cross the 100-run mark. 

22nd Over

Imran Tahir's 4th over. 

The experienced spinner gave just 3 runs in this over. 

21st Over

Chris Morris' 6th over. 

8 runs from this over, 1 boundary and 4 singles. 

Wicket!

Morris strikes again as Tom Latham caught out by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock. 

South Africa have made it a tough contest. 

Next batsman is James Neesham. 

New Zealand are 76/3 after 17 overs.

Wicket!

Chris Morris strikes to send Taylor back to the pavilion. 

Taylor departs after scoring 1 runs. 

Next batsman is Tom Latham. 

Wicket!

Martin Guptill hit wicket out, after scoring 35 runs. 

When was the last time it happened in a World Cup match?

Next batsman is Ross Taylor. 

New Zealand are 15/1 after 3 overs. 

Wicket!

Colin Munro out after scoring 9 runs. 

Kagiso Rabada gets the breakthrough and South Africa needed this wicket as they are defending a below par score. 

Munro caught and bowled by Rabada. 

Next batsman is Kane Williamson. 

Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are at the crease to start the run chase against South Africa. 

Innings break:

South Africa 241/6 against New Zealand. 

A tight bowling performance from New Zealand restricted South Africa to a modest total in their rain-delayed World Cup match. 

Asked to bat first in a game that was reduced to 49 overs a side, South Africa's batsmen, barring Hashim Amla and Rassie van der Dussen, failed to build on their starts in the face of a disciplined bowling effort from the Kiwis.

South Africa had hope while Amla was at the crease but that too faded after he was bowled for 55 by Mitchell Santner in the 28th over but Van der Dussen's unbeaten 67 gave them a respectable total.

Kiwi pacer Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets, while all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme contributed with an economical spell of 1-33 in his 10 overs.

Wicket!

Lockie Ferguson strikes again and takes Phehlukwayo's wicket. 

Phehlukwayo departs on a duck. 

Next batsman is Chris Morris. 

After 45 overs, the score is 210/5. 

Wicket!

David Miller out... he scored 36 runs. 

Miller eased some pressure after hitting few big shots. 

Trying to do the same, he lost his wicket to Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult took his catch. 

Next batsman is Andile Phehlukwayo. 

South Africa are 173/4 after 41 overs. 

New Zealand are flying high and a fourth win would lift the 2015 finalists to the top of the table ahead of matches against West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and hosts England.

Wicket!

Aiden Markram out.

Colin de Grandhomme strikes to send him back to the pavilion. 

He scored 38 off 55 balls. 

Next batsman is David Miller. 

Catch dropped!

Trent Boult dropped an easy catch as Aiden Markram gets a lifeline here. 

After 31 overs, the score is 127/3. 

Wicket!

Hashim Amla out after scoring 55 runs. 

Mitchell Santner to Amla, bowled. 

Next batsman is Rassie van der Dussen. 

South Africa are 98/2 after 25 over. 

After 15 overs, the score is 60/2. 

Wicket!

Faf du Plessis falls for 23. 

Lockie Ferguson to du Plessis, bowled. 

Next batsman is Aiden Markram. 

South Africa are 31/1 after 8 overs. 

Wicket!

Quinton de Kock departs after scoring 5 runs. 

Trent Boult to de Kock, bowled. The stumps are thrashed. 

Next batsman is Faf du Plessis. 

Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla are at the crease and Matt Henry will launch New Zealand's bowling attack. 

Both the teams are done with their national anthems. 

The match will begin in two minutes. 

Toss:

New Zealand opt to bowl first against South Africa. 

Playing XI: 

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis(c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham(w), James Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

NEWS:

The toss will happen at 4:00pm and the match will start at 4:30pm and it will be a 49-over match. 

The umpires will inspect the pitch and outfield at 3:30pm IST.

Listen in what Shaun Pollock has to say...

The toss has been delayed due to a wet outfield. 

South Africa gear up to keep their chances alive at the World Cup.

Conditions:

Light showers with heavy cloud cover is expected for the morning, but the conditions will get better as the day goes by with bright sunlight throughout rest of the day.

Squads

New Zealand: 
Kane Williamson (captain), Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell.

South Africa: 
Faf du Plessis (captain), Aiden Markram, Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo, JP Duminy, Dwaine Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Head-to-head:

New Zealand and South Africa have clashed seven times previously at the World Cups.

New Zealand have won five matches while the South African team has managed only two victories.

Preview:

South Africa will be looking to avenge their 2015 semi-final defeat while New Zealand will aim to reclaim their position at the top when the two sides clash. 

South Africa, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to New Zealand in the last edition, had a dismal start to their World Cup campaign, losing three straight games followed by a wash-out before registering their maiden win against bottom-placed Afghanistan.

In contrast, New Zealand are yet to face defeat in the tournament and are lying second on the table with three wins and a washout.

With Ngidi fully fit and the team finally tasting victory, skipper Faf du Plessis will breathe a sigh of relief.

"Hopefully this is a real confidence booster for everyone on the team. And there's a little bit of weight that you feel that's off your shoulders now. We need to win every game that we play" Du Plessis had said after the win against Afghanistan.

The Proteas have been mostly done in by their batting but they will take heart from the fact that openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock finally clicked in the previous game.

The pair, alongside du Plessis, will have to navigate their way through a quality seam attack led by Trent Boult.

However, considering South Africa's dismal record against spin and the brown Edgbaston wicket, the Black Caps might consider deploying leg spinner Ish Sodhi alongside the reliant Mitchell Santer.

New Zealand have a solid batting unit. Skipper Kane Williamson anchored the side to victory against Bangladesh and Afghanistan while Ross Taylor has also been among the runs but the team will hope for openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill to start clicking.

Hello! And welcome to the Match 25 of the Cricket World Cup 2019 which is between New Zealand and South Africa in Birmingham. 

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