Brendon McCullum and Jamie How pounded the South African bowlers as New Zealand ended a losing streak with an emphatic seven-wicket victory in the second one-day international at St George's Park on Friday.
McCullum (81) and How (76) put on 154 for the second wicket as New Zealand cruised in with 11.2 overs to spare to level the three-match series. The deciding match will be in Cape Town today.
New Zealand's win followed heavy defeats in two Tests and losses in a Twenty20 international and the first one-day international.
The Black Caps dominated most of the match, reducing South Africa to 66 for five after South African captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bat.
All-rounder Shaun Pollock and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher added 89 for the sixth wicket to enable South Africa to make 209 for nine.
New Zealand lost Lou Vincent early but McCullum and How made the target look easy. They shared the man of the match award.
McCullum hammered 81 off 85 balls with nine fours and a six before being run out by a good throw from deep cover by substitute fielder Dale Steyn.
McCullum was aggressive from the start of his innings and How was the ideal foil, playing solidly but picking off loose deliveries to make his runs off 106 balls with 11 boundaries.
Opening bowler Kyle Mills struck the first blows for New Zealand on a slow pitch, which offered some early seam movement, dismissing openers Herschelle Gibbs and Smith without scoring.
New Zealand produced their best bowling and fielding performance of a disappointing tour before Pollock (52) and Boucher (48) rebuilt the innings, starting their stand slowly but increasing the scoring rate after they played themselves in.
Tailender Andre Nel gave the innings late impetus when he hit a six and two fours off the 49th over, bowled by Mills.
Then he edged a four and slogged a six off the last two balls of the innings from Gillespie to finish with 30 not out off 13 balls.
But Nel quickly gave back most of the runs he scored when he conceded 28 off three overs with the new ball.
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