Connor Esterhuizen’s half-century, combined with a disciplined bowling display, powered South Africa to a series-levelling victory in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Wellington on Sunday (March 22). Esterhuizen struck 57 from 36 deliveries to lead South Africa to 164 for 5, before the visitors dismissed New Zealand for 145. Gerald Coetzee claimed three wickets, while debutant Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman and Keshav Maharaj took two apiece.
New Zealand began the chase briskly as Tim Robinson and debutant Katene Clarke found early boundaries. However, Wiaan Mulder made the breakthrough in the third over, removing Clarke for 9. Robinson survived a couple of chances, including an inside edge that evaded Esterhuizen behind the stumps and a missed catch from George Linde at midwicket. Dane Cleaver’s six in the fifth over brought up New Zealand’s fifty. Robinson eventually departed after top-edging Coetzee to backward point. Cleaver then struck a boundary and a six in the same over as the hosts reached 63 for 2 at the end of the Powerplay.
South Africa responded with a cluster of wickets to reduce New Zealand to 96 for 5 by the close of the 12th over. Subrayen bowled Cleaver with a full delivery and then removed Bevon Jacobs with a yorker. Acting captain James Neesham, leading in place of the injured Tom Latham, enjoyed a couple of reprieves before he too fell, edging a delivery from Baartman.
Cole McConchie and Nick Kelly attempted to revive the chase, but Maharaj struck twice in the 14th over to leave New Zealand struggling at 112 for 7. Zakary Foulkes briefly threatened with a six before becoming Baartman’s second wicket. Coetzee added another scalp when he dismissed Josh Clarkson with a pull shot late in the innings. The final pair delayed the inevitable before Coetzee wrapped up the contest in the 19th over by removing Kyle Jamieson with a short delivery.
Earlier, South Africa chose to bat, but Jamieson made an immediate impact with a wicket-maiden in the opening over, dismissing Mulder with a delivery that moved away to find the edge. Esterhuizen countered effectively to ensure South Africa capitalised during the Powerplay. Tony de Zorzi struck two boundaries off Foulkes in the second over before Esterhuizen dominated proceedings, smashing four fours and three sixes within the first six overs to lift South Africa to 50.
More Read
Esterhuizen reached his half-century in 33 balls as he and de Zorzi extended their partnership to 81. Ben Sears ended Esterhuizen’s innings in the 10th over with a sharp catch by Clarke. McConchie soon removed de Zorzi, leaving South Africa at 85 for 3 after 11 overs.
Rubin Hermann anchored the latter stages with an unbeaten 28, while Dian Forrester and Jason Smith added brief bursts. George Linde’s late cameo pushed the total past 160, although New Zealand’s death bowling, particularly from Sears, kept the score from climbing further. Sears conceded only two runs in the final over to complete a strong late spell despite the eventual defeat.
Brief scores:
South Africa 164/5 in 20 overs (Connor Esterhuizen 57, Rubin Hermann 28*; Kyle Jamieson 2-29) beat New Zealand 145 in 18.5 overs (Tim Robinson 32; Gerald Coetzee 3-31, Prenelan Subrayen 2-13) by 19 runs.
