The Black Caps of New Zealand beat the world number ones by six runs to level that five-match One-Day International series.

South Africa won the toss and elected to field first in the Garden City.

The host scored 289/4 in their allotted 50 overs with Ross Taylor scoring an unbeaten 102 off 110 balls in innings that include 8 fours.

He was well supported by James Neesham who in turn was also unbeaten with 71 runs off 57 balls. The skipper Kane Williamson once again proved his consistency with 69 runs.

Dwaine Pretorius was the pick of the Proteas bowlers with 40/2 in 10 overs, while Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell each took one wicket. South African did, however, play without Kagiso Rabada who is battling with the knee niggle and was rested as a precaution.

The question remains how much longer will the coach Russell Domingo keep supporting Parnell following poor figures of 49/1 in 8 overs and duck while batting.

The Proteas lost Hashim Amla (10) and Faf du Plessis (11) fairly early in their innings but the wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock laid a fairly solid foundation with 57 before playing a silly shot to be caught in the deep by Neesham off the bowling of Trent Boult.

JP Duminy (34), AB de Villiers (45) and David Miller (28) all played their part albeit it all three could have perhaps contributed just a little more.

It was, however, the seamer Pretorius who nearly won the game for the visitors with a brilliant 50 off 27 deliveries which included 4 hours and 2 sixes. The Dolphins paceman, Andile Phehlukwayo, once again reaffirmed his status as a genuine all-rounder with 29* off 34 deliveries in a valiant effort with the willow to help try and win the game.

Boult was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 63/3 in 10 overs with the spinner Mitchell Santner returning figures of 46/2 in 10.

The Proteas will welcome the return of Rabada to the seam attack, should he be fit by Saturday.

The series is now locked at one game apiece following the Proteas 4 wicket win on Sunday.

The third ODI will be played on Saturday at the Westpac Stadium in the New Zealand capital city, Wellington.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport