Devon Conway led the scoring with a composed 60 as New Zealand defeated South Africa by 68 runs in the second T20I on Tuesday, drawing level in the five-match series at 1-1.
Sent in to bat first, New Zealand posted 175 for 6 on a surface that became increasingly difficult for strokeplay as the match progressed. South Africa’s reply faltered badly, with the visitors dismissed for 107 in 15.3 overs as fast bowlers Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson combined to claim six wickets. All ten South African wickets fell to catches, underlining the challenges posed by variable pace and bounce.
South Africa lost their final six wickets for just 40 runs, with George Linde providing the only significant resistance. He struck a rapid 33 from 12 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes, before Ferguson ended the innings. Sears, who travelled as New Zealand’s reserve at the recent T20 World Cup, returned figures of 3 for 14, while Ferguson finished with 3 for 16.
Reflecting on the defeat, South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj said, “I thought we bowled really well up to a point and then lost our way with the bat,”
“We thought the dew was going to play a large factor in terms of changing the wicket.
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“There was dew in the outfield but the wicket got a little bit worse and I’ll take it on my chin. We know dew is a factor back home which makes the wicket better but I think the way New Zealand bowled really stifled us up front and forced us to make a play on a very tricky wicket.”
New Zealand began their innings confidently, with Conway finding boundaries square of the wicket and Tom Latham employing ramp shots to collect a six and a four over fine leg. The hosts reached 43 without loss at the end of the Powerplay and moved to 81 for 2 after 10 overs, with Latham dismissed for 11 after picking out Ottneil Baartman at third man with a reverse sweep.
Scoring proved more difficult in the latter stages as the pitch at Seddon Park became increasingly two-paced. Nick Kelly made 21 from 12 balls before being bowled by Wiaan Mulder, while Mitchell Santner contributed 20 from 14 before Baartman beat him with a delivery that cut back sharply.
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New Zealand were 123 for 4 after 15 overs and soon lost Conway, who had anchored the innings for much of the contest, when he top-edged a pull shot to wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen.
Commenting on his return to the side, Conway said, “It’s been a pretty quiet couple of months for me, going over to India and not playing and not featuring at the World Cup.
“It was a nice opportunity for me to have my feet up and watch the boys do their thing. Getting the opportunity to play, it’s been nice to be able to contribute and be with the boys.”
Josh Clarkson added late impetus with a quickfire 26 from nine deliveries, combining with Cole McConchie to take 24 runs off the final over bowled by Maharaj.
The third T20I of the series is scheduled to be played in Auckland on Friday.
