PIX: Kiwis stay unbeaten as Williamson ton sinks SA

Images from the South Africa-New Zealand World Cup match in Birmingham, on Wednesday. 

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Captain Kane Williamson struck a composed unbeaten century as New Zealand edged past South Africa by four wickets in a thrilling last-over finish, in the World Cup match, in Birmingham, on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 242 in 49 overs in rain-truncated match, New Zealand recovered from a mini slump at 137 for five riding on a 91-run stand between Williamson (103 not out off 138 balls) and Collin de Grandhomme (60 off 47 balls) to reach home with three balls to spare.

Williamson's innings had eight fours and a six, while de Grandhomme was the aggressor during the stand with five fours and two sixes as they kept the scoreboard ticking at a good rate in the middle overs.

Needing 12 off last seven balls, Williamson steered a Lungi Ngidi slower delivery to third man boundary to bring down the equation to eight off the last over.

With Ngidi (1/47), Kagiso Rabada (1/42) and Chris Morris (3/49) all bowling their full quota, Faf du Plessis had no option but to use their weakest link -- medium pacer Andile Phehlukwayo.

Williamson promptly hit the second delivery a slower ball over midwicket for a six to level scores, which also helped him complete his century. He guided the next ball through thirdman for a four to take his team to victory with three balls to spare.

New Zealand jumped to top of the points table with nine points from five games, while South Africa after their fourth defeat in six games have little chance of making it to the last four.

Earlier, New Zealand’s bowlers fired in unison to restricted South Africa to 241 for six. The match was reduced to a 49 overs-a-side affair after a wet outfield delayed the start.

Despite half centuries from Hashim Amla (55 off 83 balls, 4x4s) and Rassie van der Dussen (67 not out off 64 balls, 2x4s, 34x6s), the Black Caps did well to keep the South African batsmen in check.

Lockie Ferguson (3 for 59 in 10 overs) was the most successful New Zealand bowler, while Colin de Grandhomme (1/33 in 10 overs) turned out to be the most economical.

De Grandhomme and left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (1/45 in 9 overs) maintained tight discipline during the middle overs and did not allow any of the Proteas batsmen to settle down.

Van der Dussen and David Miller (36 off 37 balls) added 72 runs for the fifth wicket in 12.2 overs but, facing a must-win situation, South Africa could never really up the ante.

Van der Dussen hit two fours and three sixes while Miller hit two boundaries and a six.

The last nine overs produced 72 runs after Faf Du Plessis (23) added 50 with Amla, who completed 8000 ODI runs and became second fastest to complete the feat.

Trent Boult castled Quinton de Kock early in the innings and Matt Henry (0/34 in 10 overs) bowled tight lines from the other end after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Du Plessis was yorked by Ferguson and Amla was bowled by a classical left-arm spinners delivery that hit the top of off stump.