Centurion – New Zealand beat South Africa by 32 runs to share the two-match T20 International series 1-1 at SuperSport Park, in Centurion, on Sunday.
Set 178 to win, the South African chase got off to a bad start with both openers Morne van Wyk (3 from 5 balls) and Hashim Amla (14 from 13 balls) back in the changeroom with the score on 19.
Captain AB de Villiers came to the wicket and immediately began to time the ball well. But his explosive innings was cut short at 15 from nine as he attempted to clear the long-on boundary, caught James Neesham bowled Nathan McCullum as the Proteas were in trouble at 47 for three in the seventh over.
Rilee Rossouw again looked in good knick, but threw away his wicket for 26 from 23 as he attempted to swat a short ball from Ish Shodi, but could only succeed in hitting it straight to short midwicket.
When Farhaan Behardien holed out to Guptil at deep midwicket off the bowling of McCullum for 36 from 27, the Proteas were staring down the barrel at 112 for five still needing 66 from 31 balls.
The last recognised batsman to fall was David Miller for a quickfire 20-ball 29, and with his side reduced to 131 for eight the match was effectively over as a contest.
Sodhi returned the best figures for New Zealand with 2/27 from his four overs.
The Proteas made one change to their side from the first match with Eddie Leie coming in for Morne Morkel who is on paternity leave. The inclusion of Leie meant South Africa went into the match with two spinners with Aaron Phangiso the other tweaker in the side.
Kane Williamson departed for a brisk 25 from 17 balls, attempting an expansive drive off Kagiso Rabada, and Kyle Abbott took a a good catch running in from the third man boundary as New Zealand lost their first wicket with the score on 52 in the sixth over.
Eddie Leie made the next breakthrough with the scalp of Tom Latham for three. The batsman came down the track and mis-timed his stroke which spooned to a grateful Hashim Amla at mid-on.
Opener Martin Guptill was dismissed for 60 from 35 balls when Farhaan Behardien bowled a full toss to the set batsman, and David Miller took a diving catch running in from long-on to reduce New Zealand to 103 for four in the 12th over.
Aaron Phangiso picked up the fourth wicket for the Proteas as he trapped Grant Elliot in front for 20 from deliveries leaving the visitors 114 for four.
New Zealand, however, were able to accelerate towards the end of their innings with Neesham (28 off 19) and Colin Munro (18 from seven) providing some lusty blows to help the visitors post 177 for seven in their 20 overs.
Rabada was the pick of the South African attack with 3/30 from his four overs.
– ANA