Breetzke’s record-breaking ODI ton goes in vain as New Zealand reach finals

LAHORE, Feb 10: Kane Williamson trumped South African opener Matthew Breetzke’s record-breaking debut ODI hundred and led New Zealand to the tri-nation series final with a six-wicket win on Monday.
Williamson followed his Saturday’s half century against Pakistan with an unbeaten 133 off 113 balls — his first ODI century since 2019 World Cup – and cruised New Zealand to 308-4 for its second successive win.
The tournament is being served as build up for the Champions Trophy later this month and Williamson has tuned up perfectly for the mega event with two meaningful knocks.
Breetzke had earlier become the first cricketer to score 150 in his maiden ODI appearance and guided an under-strength South Africa to 304-6 after New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won his second successive toss and elected to field.
Williamson and Devon Conway setup the run-chase with a solid second-wicket partnership of 187 runs against a weakened South African pace bowling attack.
Fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada are among seven players scheduled to join the South Africa team for Champions Trophy over the weekend after the tri-nation series final on Friday.
Williamson raised the victory with eight balls to spare with his 13th boundary when he smashed Muthusamy through mid-off.
Debutant opening batter Breetzke, who isn’t part of South African squad for this month’s Champions Trophy, smashed 150 off 148 balls and broke West Indies batter Desmond Haynes’ record of 148 against Australia in 1978.
South Africa rode on Breetzke’s blitz to score 304-6.Breetzke raised his century off 128 balls with an audacious square cut boundary of fast bowler Will O’Rourke and needed just another 20 balls to surpass Haynes’ 47-year record. He also became the fourth South African batter after Colin Ingram, Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks to get a century in debut ODI.Breetzke was finally dismissed after hitting 11 boundaries and five sixes when he misread Matt Henry’s slower ball and was caught at mid-off as South Africa put up a decent total.
O’Rourke (2-72) and Henry (2-59) picked up two wickets apiece but Ben Sears, who was smashed for 20 runs in one over by Breetzke, ended up with 0-65.
The tournament now moves to Karachi, one of the three venues upgraded for the Champions Trophy, with Wednesday’s winner of South Africa vs. Pakistan match taking on New Zealand in the final on Friday.Karachi will also host Champions Trophy’s opening game between Pakistan and New Zealand on Feb. 19. (PTI)