New Zealand move into semi-finals, leave South Africa on tenterhooks

St George's, Grenada, Apr 14 (UNI) New Zealand put up a commanding all-round display to overwhelm South Africa by five wickets and become the second team to qualify for the semi-finals of the cricket World Cup here today, leaving the pre-tournament favourites Proteas on tenterhooks.

Put in to bat, South Africa struggled throughout and huffed and puffed to make a paltry 193 for seven in 50 overs and in reply, New Zealand reached the target and scored 196 for 5 in 48.2 overs.

New Zealand, with ten points from six matches, booked a berth for the last four after their arch rivals and defending champions Australia did so yesterday.

The Aussies also have ten points but they have two matches to play, one against Sri Lanka and other against the Kiwis on April 20, which will be the last league tie for both the teams.

The defeat left South Africa on tenterhooks. They have only six points and face England in their last and must win fixture on April 17 at Barbados to qualify for the semi-finals. A defeat there will raise the hopes for England and will seee the end of Proteas' aspirations.

If it was New Zealand's all-round performance, the South Africans came up with an uncharacteristic insipid showing. They dropped three crucial catches which altered the course of the match. And add to that, their much vaunted fielding wilted under pressure as they conceded too many crucial runs.

Stephen Fleming was dropped twice, once when he was on 24 and team total on 71 for two. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher let him off and the bowler to suffer was Andre Nel. The Kiwi skipper survived again on 36 and team total 95 for 2, and this time, he was dropped by Herschelle Gibbs at backward point off Jacques Kallis.

Scott Stryis, who also made a half century, was dropped by Ashwell Prince at square leg off Nel when he was on four and team total 54.

However, Fleming did not let these incidents effect his concentration. Playing his 278th ODI, he led from the front and scored his 49th half century as he guided New Zealand to a comprehensive win.

He scored 50 off 84 balls and hit eight boundaries before Shaun Pollock got him caught by Boucher but by that time it was too late for the Proteas. Fleming, along with Styris, added 78 runs for the third wicket to lay the foundation for the win.

Styris, playing his 131st one-dayer, hit his 19th half century and was out when the score was 176. He contributed 56 off 84 balls hitting two boundaries.

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