New Zealand didn’t deserve more, says Smith

South Africa captain pleased after 1-0 win in Test series.

WELLINGTON: South Africa captain Graeme Smith said that his side’s 1-0 win in the Test series against New Zealand was more than well-deserved after the tourists drew the final match in Wellington.

A heroic century by 21-year-old Kane Williamson trumped a hostile South African bowling attack and allowed New Zealand to hang on for a tenacious draw on the final day.

South Africa secured the series but were on the verge of a second victory before tea after a sensational bowling performance by Morne Morkel reduced New Zealand to 83 for five.

However, New Zealand lost only one further wicket as Williamson held firm in a defiant 80-run stand for the sixth wicket with Kruger van Wyk, following that with an unbeaten 37-run partnership with Doug Bracewell.

The South African fieldsmen grounded multiple chances helping New Zealand reach 200 for six at stumps after Smith set an imposing 389-run target.

‘New Zealand played defensively’

Smith said New Zealand could not have asked for a better scoreline, ruling out that the hosts deserved to have a go at the target with a sporting declaration. “I don’t think New Zealand deserved anything more,” said Smith.

“I felt they could have been more aggressive in their first-innings. They never got to three runs per over and maybe played a bit defensively. But we were aggressive throughout.”

Morkel finished with the man-of-the-match award after career-best figures of six for 23 in the second-innings.

New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum admitted his side fell short. “They deserved to win the series,” said McCullum. “They definitely didn’t want to give us a sniff, and I understand that because they dominated the game for so long. They didn’t need to entertain the thought of us winning.”

Meanwhile, Taylor, who suffered a broken forearm, underwent surgery and the New Zealand management said he would be sidelined for at least four weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2012.