The 2003 Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and South Africa was a thrilling encounter held on February 16, 2003, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. It was a crucial group stage match, as both teams were in need of a victory to progress in the tournament.
Key Highlights:
New Zealand's Bowling Performance: Shane Bond was the star of the show with the ball, delivering a fiery spell and taking 6 wickets for 23 runs in 10 overs. His exceptional pace and swing devastated the South African top order, leaving them reeling.
South Africa's Struggle: South Africa managed to put up 306 runs for 6 wickets in their 50 overs, thanks to the resilience of their middle order. Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and others chipped in to guide them to a competitive total despite Bond's heroics.
New Zealand's Chase: In response, New Zealand put up a solid batting display, with Stephen Fleming leading from the front. Fleming's unbeaten century (134* off 132 balls) was the cornerstone of the chase, as he anchored the innings and kept the run rate in check.
Stephen Fleming's Masterclass: Fleming played one of the finest innings of his career under pressure. His controlled yet aggressive batting ensured New Zealand chased down the target comfortably.
Result: New Zealand won the match by 9 wickets, successfully chasing 307 with 13 balls to spare, handing South Africa a crucial blow in the tournament.
This match is remembered for Shane Bond’s remarkable bowling spell and Stephen Fleming’s captain’s knock, both of which played pivotal roles in New Zealand’s victory in a high-stakes game.
Key Highlights:
New Zealand's Bowling Performance: Shane Bond was the star of the show with the ball, delivering a fiery spell and taking 6 wickets for 23 runs in 10 overs. His exceptional pace and swing devastated the South African top order, leaving them reeling.
South Africa's Struggle: South Africa managed to put up 306 runs for 6 wickets in their 50 overs, thanks to the resilience of their middle order. Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and others chipped in to guide them to a competitive total despite Bond's heroics.
New Zealand's Chase: In response, New Zealand put up a solid batting display, with Stephen Fleming leading from the front. Fleming's unbeaten century (134* off 132 balls) was the cornerstone of the chase, as he anchored the innings and kept the run rate in check.
Stephen Fleming's Masterclass: Fleming played one of the finest innings of his career under pressure. His controlled yet aggressive batting ensured New Zealand chased down the target comfortably.
Result: New Zealand won the match by 9 wickets, successfully chasing 307 with 13 balls to spare, handing South Africa a crucial blow in the tournament.
This match is remembered for Shane Bond’s remarkable bowling spell and Stephen Fleming’s captain’s knock, both of which played pivotal roles in New Zealand’s victory in a high-stakes game.
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SportsTranscript
00:00For South Africa seeing the Australians at their dominant best against India
00:04meant that defeat against New Zealand became unthinkable and it was Herschel
00:08Gibbs who answered the call.
00:11That might be called a wide, yes it is. First run of the match and would you
00:17believe probably one of the louder cheers of it.
00:23No balls to Smith.
00:30What an eventful over. The last ball is pulled away for four, it's been a wide, a wicket off a no ball.
00:39So no wicket and South Africa finished the over at six for no wicket.
00:46It's good strike, might have been a bit of a Sydney Harbour bridge there, I'm not quite sure
00:53whether I'm being unfair on the fielder, but four to Smith.
01:00That's more runs. Has he got enough on it? Yes he has.
01:05But what an over for South Africa and for Graham Smith. 21 for no wicket, three gone.
01:14That's a good shot, it might not get to the boundary. Gibbs still hasn't found the middle of the bat
01:20but it just gets there. It's the last ball of the over and South Africa close that over at 39 for no wicket.
01:28Pull shot, what a great shot that is. That is a beauty. Terrific stuff from Gibbs.
01:37Also brings up the 50 stand.
01:43Full toss, three apps to cover, four runs. Loose delivery from Bond.
01:49It's quite high. Keepers trying to get under, he's called for it, McCollum it is.
01:55Has he taken it? Yes he has. That really is a very, very good catch.
01:59That's one of the hardest catches to take, swerving around.
02:02Brilliant stuff from McCollum, so that is the breakthrough they needed.
02:06A bit of a loose shot there, top edge and didn't that go high.
02:11Big wicket there for New Zealand, they needed this.
02:15A short ball, normally pulls out, you try to hit that for six.
02:19McCollum is trying to keep it, he's swerving, it's moving around and took it quite well in the end.
02:25So it's a good catch and a wicket for Bond.
02:30And that is exactly what New Zealand wanted there.
02:33Look at the skipper, he's happy and Graham Smith goes for 23 and that's 60 for one.
02:39Short ball, that's a very well directed short ball, smacked him on the helmet.
02:44That's one of the weapons going to be seen and used by South Africa and New Zealand today.
02:50Nasty blow on the helmet.
02:52Edged and through the slips region, vacant second slip area.
02:56Chris Cairns has got to get a dive out.
02:58Has he touched the rope? Has he got rid of it just in time?
03:01In the end he has after his third fumble.
03:03So four runs to add insult for injury.
03:06Jacob Oram is distressed at the moment, that's a big over for South Africa.
03:1011 runs from it, third end gone, 80 for one.
03:18Well that's an inside edge, it'll run away for four.
03:21And the woes just continue for New Zealand.
03:37Paddling around the corner, now was there any bat involved?
03:40We'll have to wait for the call for umpire Steve Buckner.
03:42Yes there was.
03:45Got it.
03:46That is a very good delivery.
03:47Just came back a fraction, through the gate and he's hit the timber.
03:51Niki Beers on his way, that's a wicket they needed New Zealand.
03:54Beers done his job but the Kiwis will be happy with that breakthrough.
03:57Great pair to play for New Zealand, it's been a good little mini fight back this
04:00and Styrus has capped it off with the wicket of a nemesis of New Zealand cricket,
04:05Niki Boyer.
04:06He has punished them over the years, they've threatened to do so again today
04:10but not so.
04:11Through the gate.
04:19Simply wonderful stroke and necessary as well.
04:26Well he's got a little bit of luck there, it's gone very fine
04:29but he's got enough bat on it for it to go for four.
04:32165 for two, this partnership 39 from 58, it's been quite slow.
04:39That's beautifully played, my goodness me that's got there quickly.
04:46Carlos on strike and he's got an edge and that will run away for four.
04:53Vincent takes a catch, he has some reward for his work.
04:58Vittori gets a wicket, good combination.
05:01Carlos tried to go over extra cover and never got enough of it.
05:07Big wicket for New Zealand, they've really done well here.
05:10Here he backs away, gives himself some room and he's given it some.
05:14It's a fine and there it is.
05:1650,000 people at the ball ring are on their feet.
05:19It's his 12th one man at the National Sentry, his first here at this ground
05:24and his first against New Zealand and what a day to do it.
05:29Gibbs went past 100 and then he really got going.
05:34Waxed.
05:36He's cutting loose, look out.
05:42Had it well.
05:43Gee, that's gone like a tracer bullet.
05:47Okay, I smell a big shot here.
05:50Will he go down the ground?
05:52Oh, hit it over, Kawika.
05:54He's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it, he's got it.
06:02Will he go down the ground?
06:04Oh, hit it over, Kawika.
06:06He's looking also to hit it inside out over cover.
06:11Big head alright.
06:12Massive blow, that's gone 25 rows back.
06:20You can smell it but I think he's sniffing it better.
06:27And again.
06:29Head straight.
06:36Great placement.
06:3820 off the over.
06:39Scintillating batting, it's 243 for 3.
06:46Voucher's trying to join the party, he's hit it straight up in the air.
06:49Chris Cairns is underneath it, he should take the catch.
06:51He does and he stops inside the rope.
06:53Good catch from Chris Cairns.
06:54Voucher trying to go for everything, trying to have a dip at the end.
06:57Playing for his team but another wicket down.
07:00They are never easy but he's done well and a smile on his face.
07:03Voucher departs but he had to go for it.
07:06He had to try and close out.
07:08And now, let's have a look as Voucher tries to launch over mid wicket from outside.
07:15Just didn't get enough on it.
07:18Might look regulation but I tell you what, when you're under that,
07:22you start to pray the rope's not too close.
07:24Too close.
07:26Gibbs on strike now.
07:27Gee, he's hit that beautifully.
07:28Is he going to split the gap?
07:29I think it is.
07:30He's picked the gap beautifully.
07:31Straight back past the bowler.
07:33Just wide of the offside.
07:34Four more.
07:38He's gone over the top I think.
07:41Might have just bounced short of the rope.
07:44It has.
07:45Four runs called by umpire Peter Willey.
07:49So that's the end of the 45th over.
07:51Nine runs from it.
07:52259 for 4.
07:55Could be out.
07:56There is a man there.
07:58It has been taken.
08:00Macmillan is a man that took the catch.
08:02He dropped his glasses but that doesn't matter.
08:04He took the catch and that's the end of a remarkable knock.
08:07An absolutely remarkable knock from Herschel Gibbs.
08:10Nothing short of outstanding.
08:13He'll remember that for a long, long time.
08:15And so will every single one in the ground and those that watched it.
08:18It was at innings of my class.
08:21Kluzner will be hitting leg side with the shorter boundary here.
08:25Wide and gets it through.
08:27Extra cover.
08:28That might go for four.
08:29It will.
08:30That's a good shot.
08:31Didn't seem to hit it very hard at all.
08:33He's got a reasonably heavy piece of willow that just raced away for a boundary.
08:36Hallmark shot at Kluzner.
08:38Effortless.
08:42Gone for the shorter boundary.
08:44And he's found it.
08:45All the way for six.
08:46Very good shot indeed.
08:49No chance for the third of long on.
08:52And the cry is Zulu.
09:00Full toss.
09:01Pollack has hit it up in the air.
09:02This should be caught.
09:04It is taken.
09:05Oram is the man that's taken the catch.
09:07Adams is the man that's picked up the wicket.
09:09That's the end of Sean Pollack.
09:10A high full toss.
09:11Got it high on the bat.
09:12And couldn't put it where he wanted to.
09:14So another wicket down for South Africa.
09:15But they've done a terrific job.
09:17287 for six.
09:23No Pollack could be disappointed with this.
09:25You're looking for a way to pitch somewhere.
09:27Just his balance going backwards.
09:29And not middling it.
09:31Now you middle one of those, they go miles.
09:35Good shot.
09:38Four runs.
09:39Three extra cover.
09:48Straight.
09:49Very straight indeed.
09:50And very powerful.
09:51It's gone through the stump sand.
09:53It's also gone for four.
09:55Wow.
09:56That is some hitting.
09:57He was about to lose a leg.
09:59He jumped out the way at high pace.
10:01It nicked the wicket.
10:03And still went for four.
10:05Look at this power.
10:07Oh, my word.
10:09That could have killed him.
10:11Full toss again.
10:13What a way to finish the innings.
10:15Terrific stuff from Lance.
10:17He's done it again.
10:19Nice little cameo from him.
10:21And South Africa will be ecstatic with 306 for six.
10:23You can't ask for more than that.
10:25Great performance from South Africa.
10:27They won the toss.
10:29Elected a bat early today here at the Wanderers.
10:31And amassed 306 for six.
10:33Herschel Gibbs was nothing short of magnificent.
10:35116 for six.
10:37He's done it again.
10:39Nice little cameo from him.
10:41Herschel Gibbs was nothing short of magnificent.
10:43143.
10:45141 deliveries.
10:47And in that, nine fours.
10:4919 fours rather than three sixes.
10:51New Zealand bowling, they all got some tap.
10:53Bond went for 7.3.
10:55And Adams 6.3.
10:57Oram 6.5.
10:59Styrus did a good job in the middle.
11:01Going for 4.4.
11:03One wicket as well.
11:05Got some tap.
11:07So everyone suffered at the hands of terrific batting.
11:09Particularly from Herschel Gibbs.
11:11And that is the target.
11:13New Zealand need, it's a do or die game basically for New Zealand.
11:15A really important match this one.
11:17They need 307 runs to win.
11:19Off 50 overs.
11:21And the required rate is going to be at 6.14.
11:23Leg side whipped away.
11:25Good shot.
11:27Nice and flat.
11:29Just bouncing before the rope.
11:31Off the mark Fleming with a fine stroke.
11:33Down the track.
11:35And over the top in four runs.
11:37Good shot.
11:39Just behind square on the offside.
11:41Four runs.
11:43Well played.
11:47He smeared that over mid wicket.
11:49Will it go all the way?
11:51It will.
11:53Long on is a better description of the area of the ground.
11:57And up comes the 50.
12:03Bingo.
12:05Goes to his 50.
12:07With the fourth four of the over.
12:09Beautiful stuff from the New Zealand companies.
12:11Read the situation perfectly.
12:1376 for no wicket.
12:19Oh dear me.
12:23The ball.
12:25Just outside off stump.
12:27As we talked about a moment or two ago.
12:29This time Stephen Fleming didn't miss it.
12:31But Boucher did.
12:35Well.
12:37They are a gimmick.
12:39Can you believe that?
12:45First breakthrough.
12:47Donald has got it.
12:4920 off two overs.
12:51Then he gets the breakthrough now.
12:53If the storm comes.
12:55The equation has changed a bit.
12:57One wicket.
12:5989 on the board.
13:01And we are just into the 15th over.
13:03So if he raps.
13:05You can tell he wanted to catch that one.
13:07But anyway.
13:09It is a pretty good effort by Craig McMillan.
13:11A good opening start.
13:13And he is out for 25.
13:15And it is 89 for one.
13:17Styrus to come.
13:19Just behind that scorecard.
13:21You can see a bit of rain.
13:23Picked off.
13:25Good timing.
13:27He is not quite quick enough.
13:29Very good shot from Stephen Fleming.
13:31Looking for two.
13:33You probably heard the call of two.
13:35It might be two more than two.
13:37It is going to be four.
13:39Good shot.
13:41Brilliant timing.
13:43And great placement.
13:45Just out of the reach of the fielder.
13:47The rain will have slowed the outfielder.
13:49But not enough.
14:01Not going to please anyone.
14:03On this ground.
14:05Particularly bowler and captain.
14:19Fleming is not on his own.
14:21Nathan Astle is one of the more dangerous players.
14:23In this form of cricket.
14:32Great shot.
14:34Some lovely stroke play going on out there.
14:41There it is.
14:43He raises his right hand.
14:45The one he got hit on just now.
14:47Yes.
14:49And what a happy man.
14:51His fourth one day international.
14:53His first against South Africa.
14:55And his first in a World Cup confrontation.
14:57Well played.
15:01And then amidst this riveting drama.
15:03The rain came.
15:05Before the stoppage.
15:07The required ask was more than seven and over.
15:09But it was time for Messrs.
15:11Duckworth and Lewis to take a hand.
15:13By the time the players returned.
15:15The blackcaps needed closer to five runs and over.
15:17And still had nine wickets in hand.
15:23Astle 44.
15:27I think he has got that one pretty well.
15:29That is to the fence.
15:31Behind square.
15:33Valuable shot that for Nathan Astle.
15:35And that makes it so much easier now.
15:37200 up for New Zealand.
15:39And the celebrations are starting from just a few.
15:45Some Kiwis in the crowd.
15:47They will be pretty happy with that shot.
15:49Always a problem with that angle he bowls.
15:51He has hit that right in the screws there.
15:53And no one would have got that.
15:55That was four.
15:5718 for 29.
15:59They should not lose it from here.
16:01Straight down the ground.
16:03Really straight.
16:05It might go all the way.
16:07Absolutely brilliant.
16:09But in the process.
16:11Astle gets to 50.
16:15Brilliant knock.
16:17It really was.
16:19All the coaching staff have done a tremendous job.
16:21Getting this team after their first loss.
16:23A while back.
16:25They have come back really well.
16:27They knocked over the West Indies.
16:29Here is another one.
16:31Steve Bucknut.
16:33He has had a bad day.
16:35He nearly got cleaned up again.
16:37He is moving like an 18-year-old.
16:39It is fitting now.
16:41He has not got anyone in the ring.
16:43Hopefully Fleming will get the winning runs.
16:45He has.
16:47That is an amazing win for New Zealand.
16:49It really has.
16:51It actually goes down as one run.
16:53It went to the fence.
16:55Look at the boys.
16:57They are over the wall.
16:59They are going to run down to their skipper.
17:01That shows how much they think of him.
17:03It is a fair old trick.
17:05Here they come.
17:07This means so much.
17:09All the players are running into the middle.
17:11Shaking hands with all the South Africans.
17:13Which is fantastic.
17:15Look at that.
17:17Look at their faces.
17:19How important is it to them?