New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs in 2nd T20I to level 2-match series at 1-1
New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs in 2nd T20I to level 2-match series at 1-1
New Zealand romped home to a 32-run win against against South Africa in the second T20 International (T20I) at Centurion. New Zealand made an excellent start as they had dismissed openers Hashim Amla and Morne Van Wyk in quick succession. Skipper AB de Villiers was looking in good nick, but he went for one shot too many and he was dismissed for a nine-ball 15. One though it would be difficult for South Africa to make a comeback after that, but Rillee Rossouw gave some hope for The Proteas with his patient 23-ball 26, but South Africa lost a wicket once just when a partnership was budding. That has been the case throughout this innings and therefore could not get over the line. Farhaan Behhardien hit a couple out of the park, which gave South Africa a bit hope, but after he perished for 36, a lot was expected from David Miller. Live cricket Scorecard, South Africa vs New Zealand 2015, 2nd T20I at Centurion
Miller tried his best till the end, but he could not find anyone to support him at the other end. South Africa would have expected to have put in a better performance especially after their excellent all-round display in the first game at Durban. Nathan McCullum, Ish Sodhi and Mitchell McClenaghan were pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, picking up two wickets apiece. Both teams will now look forward to the One-Day International (ODI) series that starts in a few days time.Live Blog: South Africa vs New Zealand 2015, 2nd T20I at Centurion
Earlier, Martin Guptill‘s excellent half-century has taken New Zealand to 177 for 7. Guptill came out to open the innings with his skipper Kane Williamson and the duo immediately got things going. Williamson seemed to be the aggressor initially, but once Guptill got his eye in, he too was smashing the ball to all parts. New Zealand got to 50 inside six overs and were looked set for a huge score. They however lost Williamson and tom Latham in quick succession, which brough South Africa back into the game for a brief period of time. But Guptill did not allow the bowlers to settle as he hit a couple of lusty blows to reach his sixth half-century. But e was soon dismissed for 60.
Grant Elliott, who was in desperate need of some runs too was dismissed after Guptill for a 17-ball 20. The responsibility of taking new Zealand to a match-winning total was in the hands of Jimmy Neesham and wicket keeper Luke Ronchi. Neesham was roped into the match in place of george Worker and was determined to justify it. David Wiesse was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, just going six an over and also picked up a wicket along the way. Aaron Phangiso was not even close to his best and went for 40 runs in his four overs.
Colin Munro then came in at No.7 and found the boundary on a regular basis. He and Neesham added valuable runs for the sixth wicket, which could turn out to be pivotal in the outcome of the match. Neesham and Munro were dismissed in consecutive deliveries by Kagiso Rabada and Nathan McCullum successfully managed to negotiate the hattrick ball. Rabada eventually finished with three wickets to his name.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. South Africa were once again led by Ab de Villiers as their regular skipper Faf du Plessis was injured ahead of the first T20I and finds himself excluded in this game as well due to the injury. Two changes in the Black Caps side — Jimmy Neesham and Ish Sodhi come in place of George Worker and Doug Bracewell. South Africa, on the other hand, have opted to draft Eddie Leie in place of Morne Morkel in order to bolster their spin attack.
Brief scores:
New Zealand: 177 for 7 in 20 Overs (Martin Guptill 60, Jimmy Neesham 28; Kagiso Rabada 3 for 30, Farhaan Behardien 1 for 4 Beat South Africa 145 for 8 in 20 Overs (Farhaan Behardien 36, David Miller 29; Mitchell McClenaghan 2 for 28, Ish Sodhi 2 for 27, Nathan McCullum 2 for 31) by 32 runs.
Man of the match: Martin Guptill
Man of the series: Martin Guptill
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)