Cricket: Fleming leads NZ rearguard

Captain Stephen Fleming was leading the rearguard action as New Zealand fought to keep the series alive in the third one-day cricket international against South Africa in Port Elizabeth today.

Down 0-2 in the five-match series, the Black Caps were staring at a series defeat as they slumped to 49 for three but they had recovered to 95 for three after 25 overs.

That was due largely to an unbeaten 48 off 82 balls from opener Fleming, who grew in confidence after a sluggish start, unleashing several of his trademark straight drives on a wicket more lively than the first two matches were played on.

Alongside Fleming was Scott Styris on 17, the pair having put on 46 runs for the fourth wicket.

South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand in, with paceman Makhaya Ntini taking the first two wickets courtesy of some sideways movement. Nathan Astle fell for 11 and Lou Vincent (3) before Hamish Marshall (7) became the third dismissal caught behind the wicket, this time off the bowling of Andre Nel.

New Zealand made one change from the team who lost the second match by 19 runs at Cape Town, with Marshall coming back in for bowler James Franklin, who has a back spasm according to Fleming.

Marshall was named in the starting 11, with all-rounder Jacob Oram, who has not been able to bowl in the first two matches due to a back strain, relegated to the super-sub position.

South Africa made two changes to their misfiring top order.

Batting kingpin Jacques Kallis, struggling with a virus, was replaced by left-hander Jacques Rudolph while Andrew Puttick made way for AB de Villiers.

- NZPA