Williamson’s career-best innings helps Kiwis clinch series

Sydney: Kane Williamson’s splendid unbeaten career best 145 helped New Zealand win the second one-day against South Africa in Kimberly on Tuesday and also gave the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Batting first Kiwis managed a total of 279-8 in their stipulated fifty-overs while the hosts were all out for 252 in their reply to lose by 27 runs. New Zealand`s victory goes some way towards putting behind them their 2-0 Test series defeat by the South Africans. Williamson`s knock was only the second century for New Zealand on their tour of South Africa and saw him bounce back from a disappointing Test series with a confident, stroke-filled innings, the paper reported. Despite Williamson`s heroics, South Africa were on course for victory until two run-outs in successive overs derailed their run chase. Williamson and Grant Elliott (48) laid the foundation for New Zealand`s total with a third wicket stand of 127 off 128 balls. Williamson reached his third one-day international hundred off exactly 100 balls with 14 fours. Man of the match, Williamson was hampered by cramp in the later stages of his innings but finished with a career-best 145 not out off 136 balls with 17 fours and a six. ANI