Williamson guides NZ home against South Africa as Breetzke stars

Matthew Breetzke’s record-breaking knock went in vain on Monday as New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 133, beat South Africa by six wickets in the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series in Lahore.

Breetzke struck 150 runs from 148 balls — the highest score by any South African on debut in ODIs — to help his side through to 304/6 from 50 overs.

But the Black Caps were too strong yet again, posting their second successive 300-plus score to chase down the target in 48.4 overs.

Entering the match as underdogs across most ODI bookmakers, the Proteas did an excellent job of swinging the cricket betting odds in their favour.

While captain Temba Bavuma (20) fell in the eighth over, Breetzke and Jason Smith (41) combined to take South Africa through to the halfway mark of the innings.

Smith’s dismissal at 130/1 was quickly followed by Kyle Verreynne (1), but Wiaan Mulder (64) then joined Breetzke for an innings-defining partnership.

The pair put on 131 runs for the fourth wicket, setting up South Africa for some late-over slogging as they pushed the total beyond 300.

New Zealand’s bowlers toiled in the Pakistani heat, with Matt Henry (2/59) and Michael Bracewell (1/43) the pick of the bunch.

In response, the Kiwis were assured from the get-go.

Will Young (19) and Devon Conway (97) put on 50 runs for the opening wicket before a 187-run partnership came between the latter and Williamson.

While Conway fell three runs short of his sixth ODI century, Williamson had no such issues, recording his 14th tonne in the format and carrying his bat in a player-of-the-match performance.

Along the way, Williamson also became the second-fastest player in history — behind South Africa’s Hashim Amla — to record 7,000 runs in ODIs, doing so in 159 innings.

After Conway shelled out to point, there was a brief wobble with Daryl Mitchell (10) and Tom Latham (0) giving away their wickets cheaply.

Glenn Phillips (28) steadied the ship, however, putting on 57 runs with Williamson to steer the Black Caps to victory with six wickets in hand.

“I think you want to win, but different guys performing is pleasing for the squad,” New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said after the match.

“We have another big game in a few days’ time in Karachi.”

The victory means New Zealand are through to the final of the Tri-Nation Series in Karachi on Friday, February 14.

Before then, Pakistan and South Africa will play on Wednesday to determine who will face the Black Caps in the decider.

Top cricket betting sites have Pakistan as heavy favourites at -200 to book their place in the final, while South Africa are at +162.

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