Tahir spins out Black Caps
South Africa romped to a resounding 78-run win over New Zealand as Imran Tahir (5-24) made light work of the New Zealand batting order and the visitors begun their campaign with smiles across the field.
Hashim Amla (62 from 43 balls) played gloriously and starred with the bat as he and du Plessis (36 off 25) wasted no time in laying foundations as they put on a quick-fire 87 for the second wicket, managing an excellent start after being put in to bat.
A handy contribution from de Villiers (26 off 17) on his birthday bolstered the middle order and the Proteas looked set for a 200-plus target on a pitch that is shorter than it is wide and offers tantalizing straight boundary distances. That was before Trent Boult (2-8 in 4 overs) threatened to steal the show by restricting the target to something seemingly manageable.
Boult conceded only two runs per over and brought New Zealand right back into contention at the break. That three of his colleagues (Wheeler, Santner and Southee) went for at least ten runs per over was testament to Boult’s magnificent effort. It was a wonderful fightback.
New Zealand failed to get a single partnership going as Morris (2-10), Phehlukwayo (3-19) and Tahir ripped through the Black Caps line-up. Only Tom Bruce (33 off 27) managed a meaningful contribution but he lacked for company in the middle as the 22 000-strong crowd were left disappointed as the home team were bowled out for 107 runs inside 15 overs.
Tahir’s five-wicket haul was his first in T20 Internationals and was the third by a South African in the format. Of course, he celebrated each wicket as if it were a match-winning moment but you cannot criticise him too much for his enthusiasm.
Heavy rain leading up to the match threatened to wash the fixture out but the skies cleared up two hours before play and on and off light drizzle later in the game was not enough to disrupt the action.
All reports suggest it has been a miserably rainy summer in New Zealand (surprise, surprise!) and the Proteas single warm up game was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
New Zealand have beaten Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia at home this season but South Africa represents a new challenge. Here is hoping that the summer has just warmed up.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.