Black Caps lose to South Africa by one run

Reuters

ONE RUN LOSS: Brendan McCullum clashes with South Africa's Dale Steyn during their World Twenty20 group match.

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South Africa edged New Zealand by one run in an exciting if ultimately meaningless Twenty20 World Cup Group D match at Lord's today.

Both teams had already qualified for the second round at the expense of Scotland and the result made no difference to the draw for the Super Eight.

South Africa, defending a meagre total of 128 for seven after reaching 61 for one in 10 overs, fought their way tenaciously back into the match after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum looked to be winning the contest for the Kiwis.

McCulllum was deputising again for Daniel Vettori who decided to rest his sore left shoulder for a second match in succession.

After McCullum's dismissal for 57 with the score 93 for four off 17 overs, New Zealand lost momentum.

Fifteen from the final over bowled by left-arm paceman Wayne Parnell proved just too much even though Jacques Kallis spilled a catch at long-off off Jacob Oram.

In the end, Oram needed to hit a boundary off the final ball to give New Zealand the win but only managed to score two.

They attempted a suicidal third run to tie the game but Oram was run out for 24 with Scott Styris left not out on 7.

Ross Taylor chimed in with a useful 22 but there will be concerns after he pulled up with a sore hamstring after a quick single during the chase.

Captain Graeme Smith top scored for South Africa with 33 and JP Duminy hit 29. 

Scoreboard:

South Africa
J Kallis run out (B McCullum) 24
G Smith b Butler 33
H Gibbs c & b Styris 3
R van der Merwe b N McCullum 0
JP Duminy c Broom b Mills 29
AB de Villiers run out 15
M Boucher c B McCullum b Butler 6
A Morkel not out 10
J Botha not out 2
Extras: (4lb 2w) 7
Total (for 7 wkts, 20 overs) 128
Fall: 49, 63, 63, 65, 85, 107, 121
Bowling: K Mills 4-0-34-1, J Oram 4-0-30-0 (1w), I Butler 4-0-13-2 (1w), B Diamanti 2-0-19-0, N McCullum 4-0-18-1, S Styris 2-0-10-1.

New Zealand
B McCullum std Boucher b van der Merwe 57
M Guptill c van der Merwe b Steyn 6
N Broom c and b Kallis 1
R Taylor b van der Merwe 22
J Oram run out (Smith) 24
S Styris not out 7
Extras (4b 1lb 5w) 10
Total (for 5 wkts, 20 overs) 127
Fall: 19, 26, 82, 93, 127
Bowling: D Steyn 4-0-22-0 (2w), W Parnell 4-0-38-0, J Kallis 3-0-17-1 (3w), J Botha 3-0-17-0, A Morkel 2-0-14-0, R van der Merwe 4-0-14-2

Result: South Africa won by one run