107/10 (15.3)
CR : 6.90
175/6 (20.0)
CR : 8.75
New Zealand won by 68 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Devon Conway
60(49)
2:52 PM IST, 10:22 PM local time: Who said that 'revenge is best served cold'? Ask Blackcaps. They will tell you that it tastes even better when delivered hot and fresh. They have bounced back to avenge the thumping they received at the Bay Oval and levelled the series 1-1 by defeating South Africa by 68 runs tonight.
While the scoreboard might suggest that it was a smooth sailing for them, in essence, they had to graft it out. As Devon Conway mentioned in the mid-match interview, the wicket was a bit two-paced and he had to work hard for his half-century that laid the foundation the of New Zealand's first innings score of 175/6.
South Africa's bowlers were probing and tested the batters out. Nick Kelly and Mitchell Santner did get starts in the middle but were not allowed to convert them into big scores. However, a whirlwind cameo by Josh Clarkson at the end propelled the hosts to a par total. He took on the opposition skipper, hammering him for 24 runs in the final over of the innings.
Then, the bowlers displayed their magic. He might not have a wicket to show, but Kyle Jamieson set the tone by swinging the new ball. Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears impressed with not just their speed but also their ability to surprise the batters with the slower ones. Santner continued to pose problems to the batting side and Cole McConchie and Jimmy Neesham chipped in too.
Good bowling prevented the visitors from scoring freely. The rising required rate created pressure and thereby induced false shots. Only George Linde — who scored a 12-ball-33 — could say that he posed a challenge to the opposition. However, even his exuberance came forth when the game had already been lost.
While the scoreboard might suggest that it was a smooth sailing for them, in essence, they had to graft it out. As Devon Conway mentioned in the mid-match interview, the wicket was a bit two-paced and he had to work hard for his half-century that laid the foundation the of New Zealand's first innings score of 175/6.
South Africa's bowlers were probing and tested the batters out. Nick Kelly and Mitchell Santner did get starts in the middle but were not allowed to convert them into big scores. However, a whirlwind cameo by Josh Clarkson at the end propelled the hosts to a par total. He took on the opposition skipper, hammering him for 24 runs in the final over of the innings.
Then, the bowlers displayed their magic. He might not have a wicket to show, but Kyle Jamieson set the tone by swinging the new ball. Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears impressed with not just their speed but also their ability to surprise the batters with the slower ones. Santner continued to pose problems to the batting side and Cole McConchie and Jimmy Neesham chipped in too.
Good bowling prevented the visitors from scoring freely. The rising required rate created pressure and thereby induced false shots. Only George Linde — who scored a 12-ball-33 — could say that he posed a challenge to the opposition. However, even his exuberance came forth when the game had already been lost.
Biggest Win (by runs) for NZ against SA in T20Is:
68 runs at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
32 runs at Centurion in Aug 2015
21 runs at Harare in July 2025
68 runs at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
32 runs at Centurion in Aug 2015
21 runs at Harare in July 2025
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: DEVON CONWAY
Devon Conway (Player of the Match): (On how he approaches challenging moments while batting) “For me personally, it’s about trying to build a partnership. I try to lean on my partner and calm myself down because in T20 cricket, you are always trying to push the game forward. So I just fall back on building a partnership and keeping things simple.
(On facing bowlers coming around the wicket with the new ball) I think facing bowlers coming around the wicket with the new ball has been something a bit different for me. They swing it from wide of the crease. For me, it’s about keeping things simple and adapting to what they are trying to do.
(On preparing to get back into form after the T20 World Cup break) It’s been quite a couple of months for me. Not featuring in the World Cup gave me a chance to put my feet up and watch the boys do their thing. Getting the opportunity to play again has been nice, and it’s good to be back contributing with the group.
(On playing against players he knows well) It’s fun. I’ve played a lot with these guys growing up, so I know many of them. I can’t always hear what they’re saying out there in the field, but I’m sure they were saying well done today.”
(On facing bowlers coming around the wicket with the new ball) I think facing bowlers coming around the wicket with the new ball has been something a bit different for me. They swing it from wide of the crease. For me, it’s about keeping things simple and adapting to what they are trying to do.
(On preparing to get back into form after the T20 World Cup break) It’s been quite a couple of months for me. Not featuring in the World Cup gave me a chance to put my feet up and watch the boys do their thing. Getting the opportunity to play again has been nice, and it’s good to be back contributing with the group.
(On playing against players he knows well) It’s fun. I’ve played a lot with these guys growing up, so I know many of them. I can’t always hear what they’re saying out there in the field, but I’m sure they were saying well done today.”
Keshav Maharaj (South Africa captain): "(Where did it go wrong?) We lost our way with the bat. If I'm honest, we thought the dew was going to play a large factor in terms of changing the wicket. But look, there was dew on the outfield, but the wicket got a little bit worse. So I'll take that on my chin. I think the way New Zealand ball gave us nothing up front and really stifled us and forced us to make a play on a very tricky wicket.
(Positives?) I think as a seam bowling unit, the guys have done really well in the last two games, quite precise, came back nicely when they needed to. The little bit of salvaging from George (Linde) at the back end, hitting some spectacular shots. So there's still a lot of positives to come out from the game. But back to the drawing board come Saturday (actually, Friday, 3rd T20I) again.
(On the crowd support) It's been refreshing to see some of our local people back here. It's always nice to have that support wherever you are in the world."
(Positives?) I think as a seam bowling unit, the guys have done really well in the last two games, quite precise, came back nicely when they needed to. The little bit of salvaging from George (Linde) at the back end, hitting some spectacular shots. So there's still a lot of positives to come out from the game. But back to the drawing board come Saturday (actually, Friday, 3rd T20I) again.
(On the crowd support) It's been refreshing to see some of our local people back here. It's always nice to have that support wherever you are in the world."
Biggest Win (by runs) in NZ vs SA T20Is:
78 runs by South Africa at Auckland in Feb 2017
68 runs by New Zealand at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
33 runs by South Africa at Gqeberha in Dec 2012
78 runs by South Africa at Auckland in Feb 2017
68 runs by New Zealand at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
33 runs by South Africa at Gqeberha in Dec 2012
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand Captain): (On how tricky the conditions were and the bowling effort) I think it was tricky. We mixed it up well. There was a good partnership there, and the boys bowled well. It was more about using the conditions and working from there, operating on hard lengths and using a couple of tricks.
(On the variations he used while bowling) I tried to mix it up a bit, changing the pace and using a few tricks. Looking at the way the others bowled, when you slowed it up, there was actually a bit more in the pitch. It was nice to see the ball spinning again.
(On bowling in the powerplay compared to outside the powerplay) It’s a bit different. At the start, you look to control things in the Powerplay, but outside it, you can use more variations and pace changes depending on how the pitch is behaving.
(On the team’s batting performance and discussions around it) I think we batted well in the first few overs, even though it looked a bit tricky. Then we got through that period and cashed in. Devon gave himself some time, wasn’t fluent early, but then he played a great knock. There were some nice contributions along the way, even at the end, which helped us get to what was probably above par.
(On the support from the Hamilton crowd) It was great to see. The crowd was outstanding tonight. We’ve been away for a bit in India, so coming back home and playing in front of such support against a very good team was special. Hopefully, we get the same in Auckland.”
(On the variations he used while bowling) I tried to mix it up a bit, changing the pace and using a few tricks. Looking at the way the others bowled, when you slowed it up, there was actually a bit more in the pitch. It was nice to see the ball spinning again.
(On bowling in the powerplay compared to outside the powerplay) It’s a bit different. At the start, you look to control things in the Powerplay, but outside it, you can use more variations and pace changes depending on how the pitch is behaving.
(On the team’s batting performance and discussions around it) I think we batted well in the first few overs, even though it looked a bit tricky. Then we got through that period and cashed in. Devon gave himself some time, wasn’t fluent early, but then he played a great knock. There were some nice contributions along the way, even at the end, which helped us get to what was probably above par.
(On the support from the Hamilton crowd) It was great to see. The crowd was outstanding tonight. We’ve been away for a bit in India, so coming back home and playing in front of such support against a very good team was special. Hopefully, we get the same in Auckland.”
Best Bowling Figures for Ben Sears in T20Is:
3-0-14-3 vs South Africa at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
4-0-22-3 vs Netherlands at The Hague in August 2022
3-0-23-2 vs Pakistan at Dunedin in March 2025
3-0-14-3 vs South Africa at Hamilton in March 2026 (Today)*
4-0-22-3 vs Netherlands at The Hague in August 2022
3-0-23-2 vs Pakistan at Dunedin in March 2025
Biggest Win (by runs) for NZ in T20Is at Hamilton:
68 runs vs South Africa in March 2026 (Today)*
66 runs vs Bangladesh in March 2021
55 runs vs England in Feb 2013
68 runs vs South Africa in March 2026 (Today)*
66 runs vs Bangladesh in March 2021
55 runs vs England in Feb 2013
Sunday was about takedowns, Tuesday about revenge. South Africa Women bounced back to defeat the White Ferns, while Blackcaps gave the visiting men's team a thrashing. Both series are 1-1 heading to Auckland, setting us up for a fantastic Friday.
Do join us then. For now it is time for the quartet of Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat, Mohammad Anab and Bishal Mandal to say goodbye. We hope you enjoyed the coverage of this fixture as much as we did bringing it to you. Feel free to scroll below and read through the summary of the match. See you soon!
Do join us then. For now it is time for the quartet of Darpan Tikiya, Dev Rajawat, Mohammad Anab and Bishal Mandal to say goodbye. We hope you enjoyed the coverage of this fixture as much as we did bringing it to you. Feel free to scroll below and read through the summary of the match. See you soon!