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New Zealand beat South Africa after record stand

December 01, 2007 08:28 IST

Jamie How and Brendon McCullum shared a record partnership as New Zealand beat South Africa by seven wickets to level the one-day series on Friday.

How and McCullum shared 154, New Zealand's biggest second-wicket stand against South Africa. The previous record was an unbroken 140 set by Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle in Johannesburg in 2002-03.

South Africa totalled 209-9 after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

New Zealand replied with 210-3 to win with 11.2 overs to spare, lining up a decider for the three-match series in Cape Town on Sunday.

How scored 76 and McCullum made 81 to steer the visitors to their comfortable victory, their first on tour after losing both tests, a Twenty20 international and the first one-day international.

Shaun Pollock's 52 was the home side's top score and South Africa would have struggled to avoid being dismissed without a stand of 89 between Mark Boucher (48) and Pollock.

South Africa dwindled to 66-5 in the 22nd over before Boucher and Pollock rode to the rescue.

New Zealand were unable to separate the sixth-wicket pair until the 44th over, when Boucher drove a ball from left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori at Jeetan Patel at long-on.

Pollock was eighth out in the 48th over when fast bowler Mark Gillespie pegged back his leg stump.

New Zealand suffered a setback with the 10th ball of their reply when fast bowler Andre Nel extricated himself from his follow through to run out Lou Vincent for nine.

That proved to be the home side's only success for 29 overs as McCullum and How reeled in the target with steady scoring.

South Africa needed another runout to end the partnership in the 31st over, when substitute fielder Dale Steyn's throw from long-off to bowler Johan Botha proved to be accurate enough to remove McCullum.

How was trapped in front by fast bowler Charl Langeveldt in the 36th over, leaving Scott Styris (24 not out) and Ross Taylor (13 not out) to complete the job.

Source: REUTERS
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