CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh – JP Duminy hit 86 not out to steer South Africa to a respectable 170-6 against New Zealand on Monday at the World Twenty20.
Duminy's defining innings helped the side to recover from a relatively shaky start as New Zealand bowled brilliantly.
Duminy hit 10 fours and three sixes off 43 balls. His aggressive batting in the last five overs enabled South Africa to score 70
runs, 51 of which were his.
New Zealand bowlers made early inroads with Kyle Mills taking out Quinton de Kock on 4. Tim Southee removed captain Faf du Plessis (13), while Nathan McCullum spun one viciously past AB de Villiers to dismiss him on 5, making South Africa 42-3.
Hashim Amla and Duminy revived the innings with 55 until Amal slashed one back toward the bowler powerfully but it hit non-striker Duminy's bat and Corey Anderson took a simple return catch to remove him.
Hashim Amal made 41 off 40, including two fours. Albie Morkel scored 13.
Anderson and Southee claimed two wickets apiece.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum earlier won the toss and elected to field first at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
– Sapa-AP