Nathan Astle helped himself to a century and Stephen Fleming at last got himself among the runs as New Zealand eased into their South African tour with a 79-run one-day victory over a Highveld Strikers Invitation XI in Soweto on Wednesday.

It was not, by any standards, a particularly taxing day for the tourists who rattled up 296 for five after winning the toss and then restricted the local side to 217 for six.

In terms of their long-term ambitions on this tour, the high point for New Zealand came in the 185-run partnership for the second wicket between Astle and Fleming. Astle has gradually been coming back into form with reasonable contributions in Kenya last week, but on Wednesday he kicked on to three figures, eventually getting himself out bowled in the last over for 137 as he charged down the wicket at Zander de Bruyn.

For Fleming, however, his 82 could hardly have been better timed with the serious business of the tour, the first one-day international in Potchefstroom, coming on Friday.

“I feel that I’ve been timing the ball OK,” said Fleming, “but I’ve just been getting out. Getting some runs today helps you pick up some momentum and it obviously helps your confidence.”

To be fair, this was hardly the Highveld Strikers most competitive XI. They omitted regular opening bowlers David Terbrugge and West Indian Ottis Gibson while Daryll Cullinan, who has just been recalled to the South African one-day squad, did not play either.

But they were able to put out a first-wicket pair of Adam Bacher and Andrew Hall, past and present South African openers, who added 98 before Bacher was first out for 55. Thereafter the innings trickled away from the home team.

Brooke Walker, the leg-spinner who has just joined the New Zealand party, claimed Bacher’s wicket with his ninth ball on tour and went on to take four for 33, so he will be happy with his day’s work.

Since New Zealand were last here six years ago most touring sides have had a day in Soweto in an exercise designed to lift the profile of the game in an entirely black African township. As usual, a few local youngsters were given a run, and Solly Ndima, who took a half-century off England last summer, again enjoyed himself with a brisk 22 off 18 balls.

But Nicholas Mataboge, a left-arm seamer who is said to “about 19 or 20” but who looks around 15, will have mixed memories of the day. He took his first wicket in this elevated company when he comprehensively yorked Roger Twose, but a few overs later he made a dreadful hash of an attempt to catch Astle on the long-off boundary.

Mataboge failed to lay a hand on the ball which thumped into his midriff, knocking all the wind out of him. As he lay panting for air, his captain, Clive Eksteen, jogged over to have a look. Eksteen, it must be said, saw the funny side of it. Mataboge didn’t.

“What are you laughing at?” he gasped. “I’m dying here.”

© CricInfo