Daijiworld Media Network - Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui, Mar 15: A disciplined bowling performance followed by a steady run chase helped South Africa national cricket team defeat the New Zealand national cricket team by seven wickets in the first T20I of the five-match series on Saturday.
Chasing a modest target of 92, South Africa reached 93/3 in 16.4 overs, with Connor Esterhuizen guiding the innings with an unbeaten 45. He sealed the victory in style by hitting Kyle Jamieson for a six, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead in the series.
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings collapsed after opting to bat first. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee struck in the opening over by dismissing Devon Conway and soon trapped captain Tom Latham lbw, putting the hosts under immediate pressure.
The early breakthroughs triggered a dramatic collapse. Ottneil Baartman removed Tim Robinson and Nick Kelly in his first over, while a sharp direct hit from Rubin Hermann ran out Bevon Jacobs, leaving New Zealand struggling at 35/5 during the powerplay.
A brief recovery attempt came through a partnership between Mitchell Santner and James Neesham. Santner scored 15 before he was bowled by spinner Keshav Maharaj, who extracted turn from the pitch.
Neesham offered the only real resistance, top-scoring with 26 off 21 balls, including two boundaries and a six. However, once he was dismissed by debutant Nqobani Mokoena, the innings quickly folded.
Mokoena impressed in his first international outing, picking up three wickets, while Coetzee, Baartman and Maharaj claimed two wickets each as New Zealand were bowled out for just 91 in 14.3 overs.
South Africa’s chase began cautiously. Zakary Foulkes removed Tony de Zorzi early, and Jamieson later dismissed Rubin Hermann to reduce the visitors to 28/2.
Esterhuizen then stabilised the innings with calm batting in the middle overs. Jason Smith added 10 before being stumped off Santner, but Esterhuizen continued to anchor the chase.
He eventually found support from Dian Forrester, who remained unbeaten on 16, as the pair guided South Africa to the target without further trouble despite tight spells from Santner and Cole McConchie.
Esterhuizen finished the match in the 17th over with a six off Jamieson, completing a comfortable win and giving South Africa the early advantage in the series.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 91 all out in 14.3 overs (James Neesham 26; Nqobani Mokoena 3/26, Gerald Coetzee 2/14) lost to South Africa 93/3 in 16.4 overs (Connor Esterhuizen 45*, Dian Forrester 16*; Mitchell Santner 1/8, Zakary Foulkes 1/8) by seven wickets.