New Zealand started the T20 tri-series with a win, defeating South Africa by 21 runs at the Harare Sports Club, thanks to brilliant bowling performances from Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy. Zimbabwe is the third team in this tri-series.
NZ vs SA Highlights: New Zealand convincingly defeated South Africa by 21 runs in their first match of the T20 tri-series. Batting first in the match played at Harare Sports Club, New Zealand scored 173 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs. In response, the South African team was bundled out for 152 runs in 18.2 overs.
Zimbabwe is the third team in this tri-series. With this victory, New Zealand made a winning start to the tournament and added important points to their tally in the points table.
Strong batting by New Zealand, Robinson and Jacobs steadied the innings
New Zealand's start was not very good. The team had lost five wickets for just 70 runs. In such a situation, the team was in trouble. But Tim Robinson and Bevone Jacobs played brilliantly and put the team in a b position. Tim Robinson played a brilliant innings of 75 runs off 57 balls, which included 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Bevon Jacobs also showed a good balance of patience and aggression, scoring an unbeaten 44 runs off 30 balls. His innings included 3 sixes and 1 four. Both the batsmen together shared an unbeaten partnership of 103 runs off 63 balls, taking New Zealand to a respectable score of 173 runs. For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka took the most wickets with 2, while Lungi Ngidi, Coetzee, and Muthusamy took 1 wicket each.
South Africa's faltering batting
South Africa, chasing a target of 174 runs, also did not start well. The team's batsmen could not stay long in front of New Zealand's bowlers. Although Dewald Brevis (35 runs), George Linde (30 runs) and Pretorius (27 runs) made some attempts, the other batsmen completely flopped. 6 batsmen of South Africa could not even reach double figures.
The entire team was bundled out for 152 runs in 18.2 overs and New Zealand won the match by 21 runs. New Zealand's bowlers bowled very disciplined in this match. Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy troubled the South African batsmen. Matt Henry took 3 wickets for 34 runs in 4 overs, while Jacob Duffy also showed his sharp bowling skills and took 3 wickets for just 20 runs in 4 overs. Apart from this, Ish Sodhi took 2 wickets for 34 runs and captain Mitchell Santner also took one wicket.
Tim Robinson named Player of the Match
New Zealand's young batsman Tim Robinson was selected as the 'Player of the Match' for his brilliant innings. When the team was in trouble, he showed patience and experience and took the team to a b score, thanks to which New Zealand easily won the match. The next match in this tri-series will be played between South Africa and Zimbabwe. With this victory of New Zealand, the tournament has reached an exciting stage. All the teams will try their best to reach the final.
New Zealand vs South Africa Match Scorecard
- New Zealand: 173/5 (20 overs)
- Tim Robinson: 75* runs (57 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes)
- Bevon Jacobs: 44* runs (30 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes)
- Kwena Maphaka: 2 wickets
- South Africa: 152 all out (18.2 overs)
- Dewald Brevis: 35 runs
- George Linde: 30 runs
- Matt Henry: 3/34
- Jacob Duffy: 3/20
- Ish Sodhi: 2/34
