Styris hit four sixes during his quickfire innings

New Zealand took a 2-1 lead over South Africa in their one-day series with a thrilling five-run win in Wellington.

In a game reduced to 38 overs per side, an unbroken stand of 84 in 7.2 overs between Scott Styris (45) and Brendon McCullum (41) proved decisive.

It enabled New Zealand to reach 254-5 but it was only just enough.

Needing 18 off the last three balls, Shaun Pollock hit the first two for six but he could not add a third as they finished on 249-7.

It was an astonishing effort by the tourists, who went into the game without Lance Klusener (sore back) and Jacques Rudolph (heavy cold).

Herschelle Gibbs launched their reply with 69 off 64 balls and Graeme Smith made 43, but wickets fell steadily and at 153-6 they appeared to have no chance.

The pressure increased on the New Zealand bowlers as Nicky Boje (24) helped Ashwell Prince add 50 for the seventh wicket before he was run out.

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Boje's dismissal in the 34th over brought Pollock to the middle with 51 still needed.

Prince marked his second one-day appearance with an unbeaten 45 off 38 balls, but the onus was on Pollock when Kyle Mills began the last over.

The second ball was a full toss which Pollock cracked over cover for six and he added two more over long-on from the fourth and fifth deliveries.

But Mills kept his nerve to fire in a a last-ball yorker which Pollock (29 not out) missed and the Kiwis breathed a collective sigh of relief.

It was far too exciting for poor old Kyle Stephen Fleming Full post-match reaction

New Zealand had earlier posted a formidable total after Michael Papps (67) and Stephen Fleming (43) shared a 100-run partnership for the first wicket.

Pollock bowled superbly to concede only eight runs, but had to limp off in the middle of his sixth over with a groin problem.

Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram both made 20 but the real fireworks came from Styris and McCullum, who took the South African attack apart over the closing overs.

Running like hares between the wickets, they were also quick to seize on anything loose with Styris clearing the ropes on four occasions and McCullum hitting a six and five fours.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Michael Papps, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Daryl Tuffey.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Albie Morkel, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel.