Cricket: Black Caps create history in another nailbiter

7.10pm - By MARK GEENTY

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming hailed the end to a 73-year drought as his team clung on for a nailbiting series win over South Africa in Auckland today.

Despite some more final-over speed wobbles from Kyle Mills, New Zealand snuck home in the rain-shortened fifth one-dayer by two runs to clinch the series 4-1 with Tuesday's final match in Napier to spare.

New Zealand haven't previously won a test or one-day series against the Proteas since their rivalry began in 1931.

"It means a massive amount and you all know how much history means to us," Fleming said.

"The quality of team we've beaten is very high and they've had the wood on us for so long. That adds to the elation of the team because we've been through serious beatings.

"To come back now and develop as a side, win four in a row to boot, it's fantastic."

New Zealand appeared set for a comprehensive win as South Africa pursued their rain-reduced target of 178 off 29 overs as they required 28 off the last over.

But Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher had other ideas with three sixes between them -- two from Boucher -- to leave six required off the last ball to tie.

Kallis, who ended 58 not out for his highest score of the series, could only carve it through backward point for four as Mills was mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

The often spiteful match was highlighted by Chris Harris' comeback from a 10-match absence, scooping the man of the match award for his 55 off 55 balls which he topped with a marvellous diving catch to remove Herschelle Gibbs.

The Eden Park crowd favourite though couldn't snare his elusive 200th one-day international wicket as he went for 20 off four overs with the ball.

South Africa never got the required momentum as they set out to chase New Zealand's 193 for eight off 33 overs when morning rain delayed a start until 1.45pm.

Jacob Oram was outstanding again, taking two for one off his first three overs with the key wickets of captain Graeme Smith and pinch hitter Lance Klusener.

The rejuvenated Chris Cairns chimed in by knocking over allrounder Albie Morkel and Boeta Dippenaar to make it 86 for five in the 19th, and when rain forced a 15-minute delay South Africa returned needing 107 off 13.2 overs.

Kallis and Boucher added 89 off 62 balls, Boucher ending 48 not out off 30, but some tight overs in the 27th and 28th by Mills and Daryl Tuffey decided it despite the late drama.

Harris earlier lifted New Zealand from 73 for five with his 16th career half-century in his 239th match.

The veteran allrounder, who was dropped for the Pakistan series in January, hit three fours and two sixes, bringing up his 50 with a six into the South Stand off Makhaya Ntini.

He was finally removed in the penultimate over by a Shaun Pollock caught and bowled to give the South African spearhead his first wicket of the series.

New Zealand made a bad start when Fleming was dismissed first ball by Ntini, caught at second slip by Kallis in a poor decision by umpire Doug Cowie as replays showed the ball hit his back leg.

Fleming had a day to forget on the field, later dropping two catches.

The innings had an ugly moment when Kallis and Brendon McCullum had a heated mid-pitch confrontation after the pair nearly collided while McCullum completed a run.

Smith pulled Kallis away as the players exchanged words at length, but match referee Gundappa Viswanath later said no action had been taken.

Smith though gave New Zealand the kudos for their historic win.

"The pressure moments we've been outplayed and they've been up to it more than what we have," he said.

"Sometimes you've got to look at yourself and be gracious and say we were outplayed."

SCOREBOARD>b

New Zealand

H Marshall b Ntini 18

S Fleming c Kallis b Ntini 0

C Cairns c Smith b Morkel 28

S Styris c Smith b Klusener 16

C McMillan b Klusener 7

J Oram run out 22

C Harris c and b Pollock 55

B McCullum b Ntini 11

D Vettori not out 19

K Mills not out 5

Extras (1b, 5lb, 4nb, 2w) 12

Total (for 8 wkts, 33 overs) 193

Fall: 3 (Fleming), 34 (Marshall), 61 (Styris), 73 (McMillan), 73 (Cairns), 127 (Oram), 154 (McCullum), 182 (Harris).

Bowling: S Pollock 7-0-35-1 (2nb), M Ntini 7-0-48-3 (2nb), L Klusener 6-0-30-2 (1w) , A Morkel 7-0-41-1 (1w), N Boje 5-0-25-0, J Kallis 1-0-8-0.

South Africa
(revised target 178 off 29 overs)

G Smith b Oram 15

H Gibbs c Harris b Tuffey 13

L Klusener c Mills b Oram 14

A Morkel b Cairns 11

J Kallis not out 58

B Dippenaar b Cairns 8

M Boucher not out 48

Extras (2lb, 1nb, 5w) 8

Total (for 5 wkts, 29 overs) 175

Fall: 17 (Gibbs), 40 (Klusener), 48 (Smith), 64 (Morkel), 86 (Dippenaar).

Bowling: D Tuffey 6-0-37-1 (1w), K Mills 6-1-63-0 (1nb, 2w), J Oram 6-2-20-2, C Cairns 6-0-22-2 (1w), C Harris 4-0-20-0, S Styris 1-0-11-0 (1w).

Result: New Zealand won by two runs, lead six-match series 4-1.

- NZPA