<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>South Africans were too good for us admits New Zealand skipper, Brendon McCullum – Cricket News Update</strong></p>
<p>Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand stand-in skipper, felt dejected after his side lost to South Africa in the third One-Day International played at Eden Park, Auckland on Saturday, March 3, 2012.</p>
<p>The Kiwis received a thrashing at the hand of the touring South African side, who won the ODI series 3-0. McCullum admits that his side was outplayed in the ODI’s by the Proteas. New Zealanders were a bit complacent in their approach, and they paid heavily
for that, said McCullum.</p>
<p>The Kiwis will learn from their mistakes and come out stronger as a unit claims the wicket-keeper batsman. He said, “The South Africans were too good for us. When you are up against good teams, you cannot afford to relax. We have learnt some lessons in the
last week. We will learn from our mistakes and go forward. I cannot ask anything more from the boys.”</p>
<p>South Africa restricted New Zealand to 206 at Auckland and chased down the total inside 43.2 overs, losing five wickets. It took a great effort from Proteas to win the game, as they had to cope with last minute changes in their line-up, because Jacques Kallis
was not fit to play.</p>
<p>Kallis’ absence gave youngsters, Wayne Parnell and Marchant de Lange, a chance to step-up and they did not disappoint. De Lange picked up four wickets in his debut match, while Parnell put on an 80 run stand for the first wicket with Hashim Amla.</p>
<p>South African skipper, AB de Villiers lavished praise on two for making the most of their chance. He said, “It was a little all over this place this morning when Jacquesy pulled out. He had a very stiff back and could hardly move. So we were caught offside
a bit. But the younger guys - like Marchant and Wayne Parnell, who hasn't played a lot on this tour - came in and performed impressively.”</p>
<p>South African team continues to rise on their tour of New Zealand; they had already won the T20 series and have now set their focus on the Test series. The Proteas and Kiwis will once again be at loggerheads in the three match Test series which commences
on Wednesday, March 7 with a game at University Oval, Dunedin.</p>
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