Cricket: South Africa give Kiwis pasting

The New Zealand cricketers wasted no time in crashing out of the Singapore Challenge last night, losing to South Africa by eight wickets with 16 overs to spare.

Having won the toss in the final qualifying match, New Zealand elected to bat first and were bowled out for 158 in 47.4 overs, a target the in-form South Africans were able to reach with a minimum of fuss and anxiety.

In stark contrast to New Zealand's batting problems, the Proteas managed to canter along at above five an over for most of the chase, as openers Gary Kirsten and Andy Hall led the charge with a first-wicket stand worth 94.

New Zealand's decline began from the third ball of the match when makeshift opener Daniel Vettori edged Shaun Pollock to slip, and the disintegration was completed 46 overs later when Geoff Allott's middle stump was uprooted by allrounder Hall.

Nathan Astle followed Vettori back in the fifth over after missing a delivery from Pollock, Stephen Fleming attempted a suicide single in the 12th and was run out, and Roger Twose lost his middle and off poles after playing down the wrong line at Jacques Kallis.

At 54 for four, the Kiwis then lost key batsman Chris Cairns for 27, and Craig McMillan, who scored a single off 17 balls.

It was only the dependable Chris Harris, with a 69-ball 42, and tailender Scott Styris (23 off 52) who managed to drag New Zealand past the 150 mark.

New Zealand fared no better in the field, with Kirsten , ending unbeaten on 75 from 103 balls, including 10 boundaries.