Proteas squander solid start in Twenty20

JOHANNESBURG—South Africa wasted a flying start by Captain Graeme Smith as New Zealand skitled them for 133 in the Twenty20 International in Johannesburg.
Smith thrashed 10 fours and a six in his 61 off 43 balls before he was caught and bowled by Nathan Astle. South Africa were 88-1 in the 10th over when Smith departed but the second half of the innings was an anti-climax.
Spinner Jeetan Patel showed excellent variation to return 3-20 from his four overs, the same figures as Astle. New Zealand put the home side in after winning the toss but Stephen Fleming’s decision backfired as Smith, just back from the ICC Super Series in Australia, hit three fours in Shane Bond’s opening over.
He continued his assault after being caught behind off a Kyle Mills no-ball and reached his half century off 33 balls.
Smith declined to walk after hitting a well pitched-up delivery back to Astle, but his dismissal was confirmed by the TV umpire and ended a first wicket stand of 84 with Kallis, who had surprisingly been sent in first ahead of Gibbs.
Patel’s introduction paid off immediately as he turned the ball between bat and pad to bowl Kallis for 20 and then had Gibbs lbw for nine in his next over as he attempted a slog sweep.
South Africa did not manage a single boundary between the 12th and 19th overs when Albie Morkel hoisted Patel over mid-wicket for six.
Morkel tried another big swip off the next delivery, but a thin edge was taken at the second attempt by keeper Brendon McCullum.
Number 11 Makhaya Ntini slashed a four to third man but pace bowler Bond (2-25) brought his brief innings to an emphatic end by removing his off stump.
South Africa: G C Smith (Captain), H H Gibbs, J H Kallis, A G Prince J M Kemp, M V Boucher (Wkt), S M Pollock, J A Morkel, C K Langeveldt, M Ntini, A Nel.
New Zealand: S P Fleming (Captain), N J Astle, H J H Marshall, S B Styris, C D McMillan, J D P Oram, B B McCullum (Wkt), A R Adams, K D Mills, S E Bond, J S Patel.—Agencies