Mills, Oram bowl NZ to 87-run win over South Africa

Mumbai, Oct 16 (UNI) New Zealand bowlers Kylie Mills and Jacob Oram ripped through the top order of the South African batting line up like a knive through hot butter to score a memorable 87-run victory in the Group 'B' opener of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament at the Brabourne stadium here today.

Set a gettable target of 196 for victory, South Africa were undone by a trememdous spell of fast bowling by Kylie Mills at the start to be dismissed for 108 runs in just 34.1 overs to give New Zealand the victory.

Earlier, captain Stephen Fleming played a captain's innings of 89 to steady the New Zealand ship, taking them to a respectable score of 195. They were all out in 45.4 overs after being sent in to bat by South Africa.

Defending a small total on a wicket which though was helping the bowlers a bit but by no means unplayable, New Zealand were given the perfect start when Mills opened the bowling from the pavilion end and sent back Boeta Dippenear caught behind by McCullum and then Herschelle Gibbs was bolwed by an express delivery in his first two overs. Both the batsmen were not able to open their account.

Mills then got Jacqves Kallis caught and bowled for 8 to leave South Africa at 25 for three.

After this opening burst, Jacob Oram who replaced Mills from the pavilion end got the wickets of Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock and captain Graeme Smith for 42 to leave them at 72 for six and staring down the barrel.

Though Justin Kemp, along with Andrew Hall, tried to take South Africa closer to victory, the Black Cap bowlers and fielders kept the pressure on to finally dismiss them for 108 and give New Zealand a much deserved win.

Mills, Oram and Jeetan Patel all took three wickets each for the Kiwis, with Vettori taking the rest.

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