Proteas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.
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THE PROTEAS learned the hard way that touring New Zealand rarely comes without resistance. On Tuesday in Hamilton, the hosts bounced back after their first-match loss, beating South Africa by 68 runs in the second T20I to level the five-match series.
IOL’s Zaahier Adams reports that on a two-paced pitch, the Kiwi bowlers exploited the conditions expertly. Seamer’s pace variations and cutters troubled the Proteas, while the spinners also played a key role in restricting South Africa to just 107.
Earlier, the Black Caps had posted 176/7, led by a half-century from South African-born Devon Conway (60). Lower-order contributions from Josh Clarkson (26* off 9 balls) and Cole McConchie (18* off 12 balls) pushed the total to a competitive score.
South Africa had initially held the upper hand with the ball, reducing the Black Caps to 124/5 in the 16th over before Conway’s dismissal. However, a lower-order surge, particularly Clarkson’s 24-run blitz off the final over bowled by Keshav Maharaj, sealed the win.
For their part, the Proteas struggled to build any substantial partnerships. No batter managed more than George Linde’s 33 off 12 balls, highlighting the control New Zealand had over proceedings. Early wickets fell in clusters, with the top three dismissals coming for just three runs, followed by four wickets for three runs later in the innings.
Ben Sears was New Zealand’s most successful bowler with 3/14, supported by captain Mitchell Santner (2/14) and Lockie Ferguson (2/8), who cleaned up the Proteas tail, squaring the series.
Scoreboard
New Zealand: 176/7 (Conway 60, Clarkson 26*, Mulder 2/14)
South Africa: 109 all out (Linde 33, Sears 3/14, Ferguson 3/16, Santner 2/19)
Result: New Zealand won by 68 runs, level the series 1-1
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