145/10 (18.5)
CR : 7.70
164/5 (20.0)
CR : 8.20
South Africa won by 19 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
C Esterhuizen
57(36)
Over 19
New Zealand 145/10
Kyle Jamieson13(9)
Ben Sears2(8)
Gerald Coetzee3-31(3.5)
SA won by 19 runs
3:04 PM IST, 10:34 PM local time: Resilient South Africa trump the hosts by 19 runs to level the series and set up a decider in Christchurch.
You've heard it before, haven't you? "A hero is not the one who never falls, but the one who gets up." That is exactly what the visitors put on display as they bounced back from two one-sided defeats in the lead up to tonight.
The start was iffy. For the fans of a team that had lost 12 wickets in the powerplay in the last three matches, Kyle Jamieson's wicket maiden up top was enough to trigger anxiety. However, then Connor Esterhuizen put his prowess on display. One exquisite stroke after the other. Shot selection? Confident. Execution? Authoritative. Timing? Crisp. A few delectable boundaries later, he had notched-up an effervescent half-century that laid the foundation of a good first innings total.
However, New Zealand pulled things back in the second half to keep them down to 164/5. Cole McConchie and Ben Sears might have only picked a wicket each, but their impact was bigger than that. In their 8 overs combined, the duo conceded only 48 runs.
The run chase began on the right note for the Blackcaps. Tim Robinson was off the blocks in a flash. Debutant Katene Clarke hit a boundary off the first ball he faced, albeit he could not go for long. Dane Cleaver played a sprightly innings too. At 75/2 in 8 overs, New Zealand looked on course. And then, South Africa bounced back, again! The spinners led the way. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen darted two pin-point yorkers to dismiss Cleaver and Jacobs, while Keshav Maharaj sealed the deal with two wickets in the 14th over. In between, Jimmy Neesham got two lives and still got dismissed – all within the same over.
Post that, it were only the ardent optimists who were hoping for the lower order to pull off something special. Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman ensured that nothing of that sort happened.
You've heard it before, haven't you? "A hero is not the one who never falls, but the one who gets up." That is exactly what the visitors put on display as they bounced back from two one-sided defeats in the lead up to tonight.
The start was iffy. For the fans of a team that had lost 12 wickets in the powerplay in the last three matches, Kyle Jamieson's wicket maiden up top was enough to trigger anxiety. However, then Connor Esterhuizen put his prowess on display. One exquisite stroke after the other. Shot selection? Confident. Execution? Authoritative. Timing? Crisp. A few delectable boundaries later, he had notched-up an effervescent half-century that laid the foundation of a good first innings total.
However, New Zealand pulled things back in the second half to keep them down to 164/5. Cole McConchie and Ben Sears might have only picked a wicket each, but their impact was bigger than that. In their 8 overs combined, the duo conceded only 48 runs.
The run chase began on the right note for the Blackcaps. Tim Robinson was off the blocks in a flash. Debutant Katene Clarke hit a boundary off the first ball he faced, albeit he could not go for long. Dane Cleaver played a sprightly innings too. At 75/2 in 8 overs, New Zealand looked on course. And then, South Africa bounced back, again! The spinners led the way. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen darted two pin-point yorkers to dismiss Cleaver and Jacobs, while Keshav Maharaj sealed the deal with two wickets in the 14th over. In between, Jimmy Neesham got two lives and still got dismissed – all within the same over.
Post that, it were only the ardent optimists who were hoping for the lower order to pull off something special. Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman ensured that nothing of that sort happened.
Best Bowling Figures for Gerald Coetzee in T20Is:
3/31 vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2026, Tonight*
3/32 vs India, Gqeberha, 2023
3/37 vs India, Durban, 2024
3/31 vs New Zealand, Wellington, 2026, Tonight*
3/32 vs India, Gqeberha, 2023
3/37 vs India, Durban, 2024
Player of the Match: Connor Esterhuizen
Connor Esterhuizen (Player of the Match): "(Scoring his maiden T20I fifty) I think the thought process was to keep things simple. I didn't have much time to think about anything as I was out there almost straightaway. I just tried to stick to a gameplan and it came off tonight.
(On tackling New Zealand's gameplan) I think it was just normal batting from my end. I took the off stump guard today and tried to play through the lines.
(On the surface) I thought, the more you are in, the easier it got for you to score runs. It was a tough pitch to start on. I wanted to build partnerships which worked out well tonight.
(On keeping wickets here in New Zealand) Umm, it was a little bit challenging as the ball was swinging around. I enjoyed it here as I really enjoy my wicketkeeping."
(On tackling New Zealand's gameplan) I think it was just normal batting from my end. I took the off stump guard today and tried to play through the lines.
(On the surface) I thought, the more you are in, the easier it got for you to score runs. It was a tough pitch to start on. I wanted to build partnerships which worked out well tonight.
(On keeping wickets here in New Zealand) Umm, it was a little bit challenging as the ball was swinging around. I enjoyed it here as I really enjoy my wicketkeeping."
Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand captain): "(Thoughts on the loss?) Disappointed. Probably a wicket that was a good surface without being outstanding. I thought the score 165 was probably around par, maybe slightly below par. We certainly had a chance going into the second half of the game. A few average options, poor execution, and we came out on the wrong side of it.
(Did the conditions change in the second innings?) There was a little bit in the surface in the first innings as well. Esterhuizen batted well in the power play. He was aggressive and sort of made pull up our lengths and you sort of get backed into a corner a little bit with trying to bowl variations. I think that showed in the second innings if you just stuck to a hard length and let the ball do the work, there was a little bit of sideways movement. We took a few sort of average options.
(On the experience of captaining the team) It was enjoyable. On the field usually you have those conversations around fields in the leadership group, so it's not a huge change to just become the person that makes the call in the end.
(What is needed to turn things around?) Probably a bit of honesty, I guess, around where things went wrong today. I think we bowled extremely well in the previous two games and then probably got a little bit carried away with variations and that kind of thing. Hagley (Oval in Christchurch) is a bigger ground, bigger surface area. Those different options come into play a little bit more."
(Did the conditions change in the second innings?) There was a little bit in the surface in the first innings as well. Esterhuizen batted well in the power play. He was aggressive and sort of made pull up our lengths and you sort of get backed into a corner a little bit with trying to bowl variations. I think that showed in the second innings if you just stuck to a hard length and let the ball do the work, there was a little bit of sideways movement. We took a few sort of average options.
(On the experience of captaining the team) It was enjoyable. On the field usually you have those conversations around fields in the leadership group, so it's not a huge change to just become the person that makes the call in the end.
(What is needed to turn things around?) Probably a bit of honesty, I guess, around where things went wrong today. I think we bowled extremely well in the previous two games and then probably got a little bit carried away with variations and that kind of thing. Hagley (Oval in Christchurch) is a bigger ground, bigger surface area. Those different options come into play a little bit more."
Keshav Maharaj (South Africa Captain): "Yeah, very much happy today. It was a perfect response from us after two disappointing losses in a row. It was basically the character which everyone showed today as a unit. We had some really good chats before the game but the attitude which everyone showed was really impressive to see.
(What pleased him most today?) We had some gameplans coming into this game. It was basically see the ball closely and then hit it. I think the energy within the camp was really good. You could see a lot of energy in the group. It was phenomenal to see.
Well, playing for your country, the fire and passion will always be there. Now and then you just need a bit of a reminder that you are representing the country. It's a young team and it does take a little bit of time but the way everyone responded tonight was just superb.
(On making a strong comeback post the powerplay) I think the way the Debutant (Prenelan Subrayen) bowled and picked up those two crucial wickets to set it up for us was simply amazing. Ottneil came in and we saw two dropped catches in a row but he didn't panic at all. It was important for me to stay calm in the middle. Ottneil got a wicket in the very next ball. Gerald took a good catch in the deep. Then I came in and picked up two wickets. There was a real buzz and energy in the team which was very impressive to see.
There was no preplanned ideas coming into this game. We looked too much in the stats. Guys made a brilliant comeback in the middle overs but gave away in the death. We still had enough to get ourselves over the line tonight."
(What pleased him most today?) We had some gameplans coming into this game. It was basically see the ball closely and then hit it. I think the energy within the camp was really good. You could see a lot of energy in the group. It was phenomenal to see.
Well, playing for your country, the fire and passion will always be there. Now and then you just need a bit of a reminder that you are representing the country. It's a young team and it does take a little bit of time but the way everyone responded tonight was just superb.
(On making a strong comeback post the powerplay) I think the way the Debutant (Prenelan Subrayen) bowled and picked up those two crucial wickets to set it up for us was simply amazing. Ottneil came in and we saw two dropped catches in a row but he didn't panic at all. It was important for me to stay calm in the middle. Ottneil got a wicket in the very next ball. Gerald took a good catch in the deep. Then I came in and picked up two wickets. There was a real buzz and energy in the team which was very impressive to see.
There was no preplanned ideas coming into this game. We looked too much in the stats. Guys made a brilliant comeback in the middle overs but gave away in the death. We still had enough to get ourselves over the line tonight."
What do they say? "Fall down seven, get up eight." After three ordinary performances with the bat, South Africa bounced back riding on Connor Esterhuizen's impressive half-century and levelled the series. The bowling unit looks like a well-oiled machine and puts them in good stead heading into the decider.
New Zealand have some introspection to do, especially given that they will be sans some of the first choice players much like tonight. Do join us on Wednesday, March 25, for the 5th T20I which will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Until then, it is goodbye from Darpan Tikiya, Pritam Dey, Raju Khariya, Ajay Pal Singh and Aman. We hope you enjoyed the coverage as much as we did bringing it to you. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the world.
New Zealand have some introspection to do, especially given that they will be sans some of the first choice players much like tonight. Do join us on Wednesday, March 25, for the 5th T20I which will be played at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Until then, it is goodbye from Darpan Tikiya, Pritam Dey, Raju Khariya, Ajay Pal Singh and Aman. We hope you enjoyed the coverage as much as we did bringing it to you. Keep following Crickxo for more cricketing action from around the world.