South Africa bowled superbly to defend their total of 164/7 against New Zealand in the third T20I, winning by 19 runs in the 4th T20I at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Connor Esterhuizen’s classy 57 off 36 balls guided South Africa to 164/5 after they chose to bat first in the fourth T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday.
The 24-year-old struck three sixes and seven fours in his maiden T20I half-century and shared an important 81-run stand for the second wicket with Tony de Zorzi, who made 21 off 18 before picking out extra cover off Cole McConchie.
Kyle Jamieson set the tone early for the hosts with a wicket-maiden, removing Wiaan Mulder for a second-ball duck as the allrounder’s experiment at the top continues to struggle. Jamieson finished with 2/29, while McConchie and Zak Foulkes picked up a wicket each.
Dian Forrester chipped in with a quick 19 off 14 balls, including two sixes, before falling lbw to Foulkes, while Jason Smith’s 19 ended when he holed out to long-off. Esterhuizen’s knock was eventually ended by a brilliant diving catch from Katene Clarke at deep square leg off Ben Sears.
Rubin Hermann remained unbeaten on 28 from 25 deliveries, but South Africa were kept in check by a disciplined New Zealand attack, aside from stand-in captain Jimmy Neesham, who conceded 49 runs from his four overs.
New Zealand lead the five-match series 2–1 and will be confident of chasing on a good batting surface with a fast outfield.
South Africa bowled superbly to claim the win, bowling New Zealand out for 145.
Wickets were taken at regular intervals, despite New Zealand keeping in touch with the required run rate.
Gerald Coetzee (3/31), Ottneil Baartman (2/30), Prenelan Subrayen (2/13), Keshav Maharaj (2/22) and Wiaan Mulder (2/22) and Wiaan Mulder (1/30) all took wickets.
New Zealand struggled to build partnerships throughout the match. Their top batters were Tim Robinson (32 off 22 ball) and Dane Cleaver (26 off 16 balls).
South Africa held their nerve, bowling New Zealand out for 145 to claim a 19-run win.
The series is now level 2-2.
