20 Jan 2013

Black Caps win opening ODI in South Africa

7:35 am on 20 January 2013

The New Zealand men's cricketers have beaten South Africa by one wicket in the first one-day cricket international at Paarl.

Chasing 209 for victory after bowling South Africa out, the Black Caps were in trouble at 140 for eight before man of the match James Franklin steadied the ship, putting on 47 for the ninth wicket with Kyle Mills before hitting the winning runs with a four.

Franklin finished on 47 not out, while BJ Watling was the next-highest scorer with 45.

Mitchell McClenaghan claimed four wickets for 20 runs - the best figures for a New Zealand bowler on debut, as the South Africans fell for 208 at Boland Park in the 47th over.

Part-timer Kane Williamson also grabbed a four-wicket bag for 22 runs.