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| Home side wins with 2.1 overs to spare after New Zealand makes 151 for 8 in first T20I |
South Africa’s bowlers came up with a collective effort on Friday (August 14) to peg New Zealand back after the visiting side had gotten off to a flying start at Kingsmead in Durban. Aaron Phangiso, who took 2 for 29 in four overs, struck the most vital blows, getting Kane Williamson (42 off 21) and George Worker (28 off 26) as New Zealand was kept to a reasonable 151 for 8 in its 20 overs.
Hashim Amla then anchored South Africa’s chase with 48 off 41 as the home side got across the line in 17.5 overs.
Martin Guptill and Williamson, the New Zealand openers, had given the team a brilliant start after it was asked to bat with a 68-run stand that came off just eight overs.
Williamson, the captain, was the dominant partner and played some wristy strokes to race away before Phangiso's guile ended his stay. Williamson gave the left-arm spinner the charge, but the bowler sensed the intent and got one to dip and turn away. Williamson made no contact with the ball and Morne van Wyk, the wicketkeeper, completed the stumping.
Worker, who bagged the Man of the Match award on international debut in the one-off T20I against Zimbabwe recently, joined Guptill and the duo continued the good work, adding 34 runs for the second wicket in 27 balls. At 102 for 1 with more than seven overs to go, it was a job well begun as far as New Zealand was concerned.
But the early advantage was quickly neutralised by the South Africa bowlers. Guptill fell to a good throw from sweeper cover as he looked to return to his crease after attempting a second run.
Colin Munro fell first ball and then Phangiso removed Worker soon after David Wiese sent back Grant Elliott. Tight bowling then prevented a late flourish.
Wiese, Phangiso, and Kagiso Rabada, the right-arm pacer, shared the wickets equally, picking up two each, while Kyle Abbott was economical, giving away just 27 runs in four overs.
South Africa made a steady start in its reply, making 35 without loss in five overs. Doug Bracewell broke through for New Zealand in the first ball of the sixth over when he had van Wyk caught at backward point for 19.
But AB de Villiers, leading the side after Faf du Plessis had withdrawn due to a knee injury, ensured South Africa marched along at brisk pace, adding 50 for the second wicket with Amla in just 34 balls. Worker ended the association when de Villiers's pull resulted in a catch at deep midwicket. He had made 33 off 21 balls.
Rilee Rossouw's 59-run stand with Amla then ensured South Africa would get home. Rossouw made 38 off just 20 balls and struck four boundaries and two sixes. Mitchell McClenaghan had him caught behind, after which Amla fell to Adam Milne with just five needed for a win. But the wickets came a tad late as Farhaan Behardien scored the winning runs with a cut over backward point off Milne. Bracewell finished as the best of the New Zealand bowlers, picking up 1 for 17 in three overs.
South Africa faces New Zealand in the second T20I on Sunday at Centurion. That will be followed by a three-match One-Day international series.
Source: ICC