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- NZ vs SA Highlights, 2nd T20I: New Zealand beat South Africa by 68 runs, level series 1-1
NZ vs SA Highlights, 2nd T20I: New Zealand beat South Africa by 68 runs, level series 1-1
After being asked to bat, New Zealand made 175/6, with Conway leading the charge with a well-paced 60. He dominated the powerplay alongside Tom Latham as the hosts raced to 43 without loss. However, the pitch gradually became slower and more unpredictable, making strokeplay difficult through the middle overs. Nick Kelly (21) and Mitchell Santner (20) chipped in, but it was Josh Clarkson’s explosive 26 off nine balls, including a big final over, that gave the innings a late surge.
South Africa’s chase never gained momentum. Reduced to 31/3 early, they struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling on a tricky surface. Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson shared six wickets, dismantling the batting lineup as the visitors were bowled out for 107 in 15.3 overs. Notably, all wickets fell to catches, highlighting the challenging conditions.
George Linde’s aggressive 33 off 12 balls provided brief resistance, but the lower order collapse saw South Africa lose six wickets for just 40 runs. Captain Keshav Maharaj conceded that his side misjudged the pitch, expecting dew to ease batting conditions, but instead found it deteriorating.
With the series now level, both teams head to Auckland for the third T20I on Friday, with momentum swinging back in New Zealand’s favour.
- James Neesham 8 (10)
- Cole McConchie 3 (4)
Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, A touch fuller, on off, Neesham clears the front leg and drags it across to the right of deep mid-wicket. Rubin Hermann covers good ground, slides across to intercept, but makes a fumble on the pick up. Allows the second run. 7 runs off the over.
Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, Pace on at 138.6 kph. Short of a good length, outside off, Cole cuts it over backward point for a single.
Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, A cunning slower one, at just 107.8 kph, full and outside off, Cole McConchie attempts to square cut, but the ball goes underground and beats the inside edge.
Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, WIDE! Over-the-head bumper from Nqobani, sliding down leg as well. Cole McConchie lets it fly back. Wide given.
Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, Slower one by the looks of it, on a length, on middle. Neesham shuffles far across off, trying to scoop it over fine leg, but gets it off the gloves. The ball rolls to the right of the keeper and they cross for a run.
Nqobani Mokoena to Cole McConchie, Short and around off at pace, Cole McConchie heaves it over the vacant mid on region for a single.
Nqobani Mokoena to James Neesham, Half tracker, on off, James Neesham hangs back and square cuts it to the left of deep backward point for a single.
- James Neesham 4 (7)
- Cole McConchie 1 (1)
Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Length ball, around off, Neesham presses back and slashes this slower one to the left of point for a quick single.
Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Back of a length, pace off, nipping away, over off. Neesham tries to guide it away, but gets a bit of an inside edge and the ball rolls to the left of the bowler.
Wiaan Mulder to Cole McConchie, Full and in front of the sticks, Cole works it down to long on for a single.
Crucial wicket for South Africa as they pick the set, Devon Conway this time. Cole McConchie is the next batter in.
Wiaan Mulder to Devon Conway, OUT! STRAIGHT UP THE CHIMNEY AND GONE! Wicket number 2 for Mulder and this is like a hammer blow on New Zealand. Smart change of pace from Wiaan. He rolls his fingers and bowls a slower one, short on middle, angling toward leg. Devon Conway stands tall, tries to pull it over square leg, but swings his blade a fraction early. Ends up getting a fat top edge as the ball balloons up and hangs for quite a bit over short fine leg. Ottneil Baartman is stationed there in the ring, but Connor Esterhuizen calls for his catch, running to his right and takes a fine catch to dismiss the well-settled Conway. The Kiwis are 124/5 down now.
Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, On a length, slanting back in, Neesham turns it to deep square leg for a run.
Wiaan Mulder to James Neesham, Back of a length, angled into the body. Neesham hops off and bunts it down the pitch.
Righto, last 5 overs to go. Can New Zealand get close to 170? That is almost 10s an over from here. Wiaan Mulder (1-0-11-1) is back on.
- James Neesham 2 (3)
- Devon Conway 60 (48)
Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Excellent over from Baartman. Short of a length, on top of off. James pulls it to deep square leg for a single. 4 runs and a wicket off the over.
Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Tad fuller, around the fifth stump line. Neesham drives it straight to cover.
Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Serves it full and slanting on middle. Devon Conway clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ottneil Baartman to James Neesham, Good length delivery, around off. James Neesham taps it to left of cover for a single.
Out goes Santner and the crease has a new occupant. James Neesham walks in at number 6.
Ottneil Baartman to Mitchell Santner, OUT! CLEANED UP! The pacers have bowled really well for the Proates. Ottneil Baartman bowls the scrambled seam shorter delivery, angling in, around off. Santner tries to fend it away but gets squared up badly. The ball keeps low off the surface, holding a bit and goes past Santner's inside edge to hit the stumps. New Zealand are 120/4 as they lose their skipper, Santner.
Ottneil Baartman to Devon Conway, Pace-off, very full and on middle and leg. Conway pushes it past Ottneil's dive and to mid on for one.
Could this be the momentum-changing over for New Zealand? 17 runs from it, but they will need to keep going at the same rate to get over 170. Ottneil Baartman (2-0-17-1), the partnership-breaker, as he is known as, is back on. He replaces Gerald Coetzee.
- Mitchell Santner 20 (13)
- Devon Conway 58 (46)
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! New Zealand are back on track with this over. Fractionally full and around off. Mitchell Santner gets on his knee and sweeps it to deep square leg for a boundary.
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, SIX! That's right off the middle. Not that short, this is on off and spins in. Mitchell Santner stands with an open stance, judges the length and muscles it over mid-wicket for a six.
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Length delivery on middle, holds a bit into the surface. Mitchell Santner goes back and away to tap it back towards Linde.
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Quicker and down leg, turning more away. MS tries to flick it away but misses.
George Linde to Devon Conway, Slower in the air, flat and turning onto the pads. Conway is early as he paddles it across. He mistimes it to square leg for a run.
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, Tossed up, fuller and around off, turning in. Mitchell Santner mistimes his slog sweep to deep square leg for a single.
George Linde to Mitchell Santner, FOUR! Much needed for Santner. Linde errs and bowls it too short and too wide. Mitchell Santner clears his front leg and slaps it past point. The fielder in the deep, Rubin Hermann, dives across but overruns and lets it go for a boundary.
A very good phase for the Proteas, this. Just 10 runs from the last two overs for New Zealand. And with that, spin is back on. George Linde (2-0-16-1) replaces Nqobani Mokoena.
- Devon Conway 57 (45)
- Mitchell Santner 5 (8)
Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Well bowled! An off-cutter, into the surface and outside off. Conway waits and waits to cut it away, but bottom edges it onto the deck. It rolls back towards the keeper.
Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Touch too full and around off. Mitchell Santner gets low and drives it away past cover for a single.
Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Wide! Too short, down leg. Mitchell Santner leaves it alone.
Gerald Coetzee to Devon Conway, Short in length, on the hips. Conway picks the line and whips it behind square leg for a single. 100 is up for New Zealand.
Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Bowls it short and outside off, too wide. Mitchell Santner frees his arms and flashes his blade. He gets a thick outside edge to the left of third man. Ottneil Baartman slides across and saves one. Three runs added.
Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Straighter length, in line of the stumps. Mitchell Santner punches it to Tony de Zorzi at cover. Mitchell Santner is struggling to time a bit.
Gerald Coetzee to Mitchell Santner, Hits the deck hard and bowls it at 122 clicks, outside off. Mitchell Santner plays it straight to cover.
Gerald Coetzee (2-0-14-0) is brought back on, replacing Wiaan Mulder.
- Mitchell Santner 1 (4)
- Devon Conway 56 (43)
Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Touch fuller and on middle and leg. Mitchell Santner turns it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.
Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Bowls into the surface from wide of the crease on middle. Santner taps it onto the deck. It rolls back onto the non-striker's stumps and Nqobani Mokoena manages to get his hand on it but Conway was inside his crease.
Nqobani Mokoena to Mitchell Santner, Back of a length on top of off. Mitchell Santner punches it to cover.
Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Too short, around off. Conway gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Too straight on the pads. Conway flicks on the up and to deep square leg. George Linde puts a full-length dive to his left and saves two runs for his team. Good throw as well from Linde as Conway was struggling a bit.
Nqobani Mokoena to Devon Conway, Nqobani Mokoena bowls at 112.2 kph, fuller and across the batter, on off. Conway looks to push it away but misses.
Nqobani Mokoena (2-0-11-0) returns into the attack. He replaces George Linde.
- Mitchell Santner 0 (1)
- Devon Conway 53 (40)
Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Santner, Serves it full and just around off. Mitchell Santner punches it to cover. Good comeback from Wiaan Mulder. A wicket and 11 runs off the over.
The 37-run partnership is broken for the third wicket. New Zealand are pushed for another reconstruction job as skipper Mitchell Santner promotes himself to number 5.
Wiaan Mulder to Nick Kelly, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Excellent change of pace from Wiaan Mulder gets the breakthrough. Mulder rolls his fingers on the length delivery, this is on middle and comes with an angle. Nick Kelly stays back to carve it away towards third man but misses. It beats the edge and crashes the middle pole. Nick Kelly goes for a brisk 21(12). New Zealand are 92/3.
Wiaan Mulder to Nick Kelly, FOUR! Oh, should have been stopped. Touch fuller, around off. Nick Kelly punches it down to mid off. Keshav Maharaj runs to his left and slides, tries to stop with both hands, but fails to do so. It rolls past him for a boundary.
Conway anchored the innings, helping New Zealand to a solid 43/0 in the powerplay alongside Tom Latham. However, the middle overs saw a slowdown as the pitch offered variable bounce. Contributions from Nick Kelly (21) and Mitchell Santner (20) kept things steady before a late cameo from Josh Clarkson (26 off 9) pushed the total to a competitive level.
In reply, South Africa faltered early and never recovered from 31/3, eventually collapsing for 107 in 15.3 overs. Pace duo Ben Sears (3/14) and Lockie Ferguson (3/16) exploited the conditions brilliantly, with all 10 wickets falling to catches.
George Linde’s quickfire 33 was the only resistance as the visitors lost their last six wickets for 40 runs. Captain Keshav Maharaj admitted his side misread the conditions, saying the pitch worsened despite expected dew. The third T20I will be played in Auckland.
Match Statistics
Venue
Seddon Park, Hamilton
