Brendon McCullum termed New Zealand's series victory against South Africa "phenomenal" after their 27-run win in Kimberley and hoped it would send "a bit of love" to the supporters.
After two Test matches that produced a combined total of seven days play and two innings defeats there were low expectations of New Zealand coming into the one-day matches, but they clinched a one-wicket win in Paarl and caused South Africa to implode during their run chase in the second match with five run-outs.
It clinched New Zealand's first series win in any format in South Africa. "It's a phenomenal win, the ninth ranked team in the world against the top team," McCullum said at the post-match presentation. "It'll go down as one of our biggest wins in the limited-overs games."
The victory was set up by a magnificent innings from Kane Williamson who struck an unbeaten 145 to lead New Zealand to a competitive, but far from overwhelming, 279 for 8. It had been a difficult tour for Williamson, who struggled against pace in the Tests, but he controlled his innings superbly especially through a middle-order wobble.
"Williamson's innings was as good as we've seen from a New Zealander," McCullum said, before giving a mention to his brother. "Nathan McCullum was phenomenal in that spell of bowling and the fielding was probably as good as we have shown. I'm very pleased, and for the fans back home this is a bit of love for them as well."
Williamson, who suffered cramp in the later stages of his innings which had started in the third over, said: "It was nice to contribute like that in such an important game. It's been tough playing the No. 1 team in the world. I cramped up a little bit but the guys at the other end helped us get a good total."
McCullum hails 'phenomenal' victory
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McCullum hails 'phenomenal' victory
