New Delhi: South Africa defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the first of a five-match T20I series at Mount Maunganui on Sunday, barely 11 days after being subjected to a comprehensive defeat in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
South Africa bowled out New Zealand for 91 in 14.3 overs and then reached their target in 16.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead.
In the T20 World Cup semi-final clash in Kolkata, South African bowlers received severe punishment but they produced a significantly improved display to set up the victory.
Both teams were not at their full strength. New Zealand had only three players from the team that won that semi-final while South Africa handed debuts to four players for the series opener.
New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Time Seifert wreaked havoc in the knockout fixture on March 4, but Devon Conway (1) and Tom Latham (7) were dismissed inside the first 13 balls.
Seamer Gerald Coetzee (2/14) claimed both the wickets after which Ottneil Baartman then struck twice in the fourth over, getting rid of Tim Robinson (6) and Nic Kelly (2).
NZ skipper Mitchell Santner walked out to bat and tried to give their innings momentum but Bevon Jacobs’ (10) run out soon after pecked them back further.
Having lost half their side in the powerplay overs, the Kiwis needed a special effort to salvage the innings. James Neesham (26) made an effort to lift the side.
But debutant Nqobani Mokoena (2/26) ran through the lower order while Keshav Maharaj (2/25) also chipped in.
South Africa suffered hiccups in their chase as Tony de Zorzi (2) and Rubin Hermann (7) perished cheaply but they didn’t panic.
Connor Esterhuizen (45 not out) and Dian Forrester (16 not out) took them closer to the target as they won with 20 balls to spare.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 91 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*; Mitchell Santner 1-8) by seven wickets