Ton-up Amla powers Proteas

Opener scores 124 as S Africa edge Kiwis by 20 runs

Hashim Amla ended the longest lean spell of his international career as he slammed a fine century  to power South Africa to a 20-run victory over New Zealand at the SuperSport Park on Wednesday.

Amla (124) and Rilee Rossouw (89) shared a second wicket partnership of 185 as South Africa scored 304 for seven after being sent into bat. In response, New Zealand came close to achieving the target but were eventually bundled out for 284 with 11 balls to spare.

Amla had gone ten international innings without a fifty since making 159 against Ireland in a World Cup match in Canberra on March 3. The left-handed Rossouw struggled to find his timing on a slow pitch, scoring only two runs off the first 17 balls.

For the Proteas, Imran Tahir, David Wiese and Dale Steyn took two wickets apiece. Half centurion Tom Latham was the top scorer for the Kiwis with 60.