Black Caps Photo: Photosport
Devon Conway and Tom Latham scored half-centuries as the Black Caps beat South Africa by seven runs in a rain-reduced final warm-up match ahead of the Cricket World Cup in India.
New Zealand got the ideal hitout ahead of their opening game against England on Thursday, scoring 321 for six before wet weather halted the Proteas' chase in the 37th over, when they were 211 for four.
The result was determined under Duckworth-Lewis scoring calculations.
By then, the match in Thiruvananthapuram had ticked several boxes for the Black Caps.
Most of the top order getting time at the crease - helped by Conway and captain Kane Williamson both choosing to retire - before eight different bowlers rolled their arms over.
It was another encouraging knock from Williamson, who scored 37 runs off 51 balls before choosing to end his innings prematurely as he continues his return from a serious knee injury.
Williamson also "retired hurt" after scoring 54 off 50 balls in the five-wicket win over Pakistan on Friday.
Despite two encouraging knocks, the 33-year-old has already been ruled out of the tournament-opener against England as he builds strength in the ligament he ruptured during an Indian Premier League match in April.
Conway scored 78 off 73 and Latham 52 off 56 batting at number four while Glenn Phillips contributed 43.
Seamer Trent Boult took 2-20, trapping opener Reeze Hendricks for a golden duck in South Africa's first over at bat, while spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi share a wicket each.
Proteas wicketkeeper/opener Quinton de Kock top-scored with 84 not out.
England beat Bangladesh
Elsewhere, Moeen Ali smashed a quickfire half century to guide champions England to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in another rain-affected warm-up game in Guwahati.
Chasing a revised target of 197 in 37 overs following a lengthy rain interruption, England were hurried along by Moeen's blistering knock of 56 off 39 balls, with the allrounder hitting two fours and six sixes.
Jonny Bairstow (34), Joe Root (26 not out) and captain Jos Buttler (30) also made telling contributions, while Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman picked up two early wickets, dismissing both openers.
Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bat, with over half of their 188 runs coming through Tanzid Hasan (45) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74).
England, keen to quickly acclimatise to the conditions after their first warm-up match against hosts India was washed out, employed nine different bowlers, five of whom took wickets, but Reece Topley stood out with figures of 3-23 in five overs.
"Very valuable, obviously didn't have the first game," Moeen said. "More important for the bowlers, invaluable time in the field.
"I just want to play how I can play. Sometimes you have to adapt. Play to your strengths. Felt like I played well so wanted to keep the momentum.
"We're ready (for the opener), got enough time. Going to be a massive game, NZ are a dangerous side, but we're ready."
Bangladesh take on Afghanistan in their first match of the World Cup on Oct. 7.
- RNZ
