South Africa won by 78 runs
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Imran Tahir
A standalone T20 constituting a series, a peanut-sized ground allowing 200+ scores only twice since 2005 and a red-hot Kiwi side floundering at the mere prospect of a fightback from the opposition -- some things astound. South Africa have a mini redemption after that semifinal loss to the hosts here in 2015 but there's only so much they can redeem. Now onto the five-match ODI series which starts on Sunday at Hamilton. Join us for that, till then, ta-ta!
A standalone T20 constituting a series, a peanut-sized ground allowing 200+ scores only twice since 2005 and a red-hot Kiwi side floundering at the mere prospect of a fightback from the opposition -- some things astound. South Africa have a mini redemption after that semifinal loss to the hosts here in 2015 but there's only so much they can redeem.
Imran Tahir - Player of the Match for bowling figures of 3.5-0-24-5. He says that it's a special feeling every time he picks wickets for South Africa and that he'd to adjust to the small ground here because the margin for error is small.
09:58pm local: A massive win. At the halfway mark, New Zealand looked favourites after restricting South Africa to 185/6. But then, Morris feasted on Glenn Phillips' debut nerves, bowling a double-wicket maiden to derail the chase in the very beginning, and some stubborn lack of application by the middle order caught New Zealand by surprise in the only T20I. Tahir, the World No. 1, had a five-for to his name and Phehlukwayo chipped in with three timely wickets: Williamson, Anderson and Santner.
Tahir to Southee, out Bowled!! All over. Tahir's five-wicket haul hands South Africa a big win by 78 runs. Bowls a googly, Southee looks to swat it away but misses and loses his stumps. Southee b Tahir 20(6) [6s-3]
Tahir to Southee, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
Tahir to Boult, 1 run, wrists a full ball to long-on
Trent Boult, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Tahir to Ben Wheeler, out Bowled!! Fourth wicket for Tahir. Bowls a quick delivery which skids on - no pitch-time to turn - and gets through Wheeler. Right through his defences. Ben Wheeler b Tahir 6(6) [4s-1]
Tahir to Ben Wheeler, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!
Tahir to Ben Wheeler, no run, good stop by Tahir. This was drilled back at him but he's shown some agility. Only due
Tahir to Ben Wheeler, FOUR, tossed up delivery, dips and takes Wheeler's inside edge en route to the fine leg fence
END OF OVER 14
20 Runs
NZ: 102 - 8
6 6 1 0 1 6
Ben Wheeler
2 (3)
Southee
20 (5)
Parnell
3-0-40-0
Parnell to Southee, SIX, goes through with the pull, top-edges it over the keeper's head and gets a six! Anything will do now. New Zealand need 84 runs in 36 balls
Parnell to Ben Wheeler, 1 run, clubs a rising delivery to deep mid-wicket
Parnell to Ben Wheeler, no run, oh, he's missed a cut shot there. Went through the shot but plays right through the line of the ball
Parnell to Southee, 1 run, uses the width to nab a single to third man
Parnell to Southee, SIX, now this has been overadjusted. Short and wide outside off, Southee throws his bat at it and clears third man
Parnell to Southee, SIX, he's such a pretty sight when he bats. On the pads and Southee has picked it over square leg!
Wayne Parnell [2.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
END OF OVER 13
14 Runs
NZ: 82 - 8
0 6 6 W 1 1
Southee
1 (1)
Ben Wheeler
1 (1)
Tahir
3-0-19-3
Tahir to Southee, 1 run, too full, Southee drives it to cover for a quick single