Our Captain Fantastic helps square the series
By Richard Boock
From The New Zealand Herald, 18 February 2004
They call him Captain Fantastic in Wellington, and certainly
Stephen Fleming wouldn't disgrace a pair of lycra long-johns
and a shiny new black cape.
The man who turned the series around against Pakistan
last month was at it again last night in Christchurch
as he led New Zealand to a five-wicket win over South
Africa in the second one-day international.
Fleming's 108 was the dominant hand in the Clash of
the Captains, his clinical innings eclipsing Graeme
Smith's earlier heroics and helping to square the series
1-1, not to mention providing New Zealand with just
their third win over South Africa in the past 20 contests.
Fleming was elated with another match winning knock.
"I was delighted to be a major player in the batting
chase. I was disappointed not to be there at the end,
but Jade Stadium's certainly a special ground for me,"
he said.
Fleming said Smith's decision to bat first undoubtedly
helped New Zealand's cause.
"We've seen a lot more of the drop-in wickets than
Graeme and we were pleased to be bowling first. It was
easy for our bowlers because it went everywhere and
our guys bowled impeccable lengths."
Chasing 254 to win after Smith shocked everyone, perhaps
even himself, by electing to bat first, New Zealand
galloped confidently towards the target under Fleming's
steam, and won with 4.5 overs to spare.
It was the fourth consecutive match in which New Zealand
have chased successfully, following on from last month's
wins over Pakistan at Auckland, Christchurch and Napier,
and it set the stage for Friday's showdown at Wellington.
It also continued a mini sequence for Fleming, who scored
a match-winning 134 not out against South Africa during
the World Cup, and looked to be in sublime touch before
being run out in last week's series-opener.
Fleming, who has now scored six one-day centuries and
has boosted his ODI average to 32.10, also managed to
post his 6000th career run, the first New Zealand batsman
to do so.
He was ably supported in his quest by middle-order team-mate
Craig McMillan, who overcame a jittery start to post
an unbeaten 71 off 69 balls, and combine in a fifth-wicket
partnership of 102.
The pair consolidated through the middle of the innings
and gradually took the South African attack by the scruff
of the neck, settling the issue during a frenetic period
of scoring with about 10 overs remaining.
Smith's effort earlier in the night set the scene for
an enthralling finish, despite making a blunder at the
toss and having to battle a chest infection.
Already regarded as one of the toughest players on the
world circuit, Smith put his discomfort aside to top-score
for his side with a battling 80, following on from his
man-of-the-match effort in Auckland last week.
Having appeared to read the drop-in pitch incorrectly,
he first negotiated a perilous opening stanza and then
led his team through to the 43rd over, at one stage
dropping to his knees with exhaustion.
Conditions were so bowler-friendly that Herschelle Gibbs
and Jacques Kallis, easily the most in-form batsman
on the planet when he arrived in New Zealand, were both
dismissed after shouldering arms, and South Africa were
28 for two in the 11th over.
Such was Smith's influence through the middle of the
innings in particular, when South Africa cantered along
at sixes for the best part of 20 overs, that there would
have even been some disappointment that the total was
not more substantial.
Smith's salvage operation was ably assisted by Boeta
Dippenaar, Jacques Rudolph and Mark Boucher as the innings
wore on, and was given a final boost by Shaun Pollock,
who struck 20 off 13 balls at the close.
Just as encouraging for New Zealand was the sight of
all-rounder Chris Cairns making his most telling contribution
at the bowling crease for two years.
Cairns bowled without luck in his initial spell but
returned when the South Africa batsmen were on the charge,
ending the reign of Smith in the 43rd over and then
sending back Boucher in the 45th.
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