Smith delighted with bowling performance by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	DL Vettori, GC Smith
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2009/10

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DateLine: 24th September 2009

 

Graeme Smith sounded delighted with South Africa's improved bowling performance in their five-wicket success over New Zealand at the ICC Champions Trophy. The Proteas captain showed plenty of faith in his attack and received just reward with the Black Caps dismissed for a mediocre 214 at Centurion.

 

Man-of-the-match Wayne Parnell claimed career-best figures of 5-57 and was given good support from Dale Steyn (2-32) and Roelof van der Merwe (2-35) as New Zealand were bundled out in 47.5 overs.

 

"Today was more of a level that we expect of each other and that we've got used to playing at," said Smith, who has won the toss and opted to field in both South Africa's Group B matches.

 

"I think the bowlers today had the first go at it again and they really set the example beautifully.

 

"Wayne and Dale up front bowled with the intensity we've been looking for, they hit the right areas and they created a lot of pressure.

 

"I think that's a credit to them the way they have bounced back and a credit to everybody that followed. It was a good clinical performance today and something that we have got used to at this level."

 

Only Ross Taylor (72) managed to trouble Smith's men, and despite the hosts also losing wickets sporadically, AB de Villiers eventually led them home with an unbeaten 70.

 

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori felt that his side were let down by their batting, as they failed to kick on despite being on 163-3 with more than 10 overs still to go.

 

"We always thought that if we could put 250 on the board then that would be a challenging score," Vettori said.

 

"We were on our way to that and then we just fell over just before that last power play, Grant (Elliot) and Ross were doing it quite nicely, got on top of their spinners and they were about to take the power play and then we lost Grant.

 

"That probably just triggered a loss in momentum and the reason we only ended up with about 220.

 

"Crucial moments like that usually determine a one-day international and unfortunately it went South Africa's way today."