South Africa produced a strong all-round performance to beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the first match of the five-game T20I series at Bay Oval on Sunday. With this comfortable win, the Proteas have taken a 1-0 lead in the series.
SA bundled out NZ on 91 runs
After opting to bat, New Zealand struggled badly against the South African bowling attack. The hosts were bowled out for just 91 runs in 14.3 overs. None of the batters were able to play a big innings.
All-rounder James Neesham was the top scorer for New Zealand with 26 runs from 21 balls, hitting two fours and a six. Captain Mitchell Santner made 15 from 19 deliveries, while Cole McConchie also scored 15 off 11 balls. Bevon Jacobs added 10 runs but none of them could convert their starts into a big score.
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South Africa’s bowlers dominated the innings. Nineteen-year-old debutant Nqobani Mokoena impressed in his first international match, picking up three wickets for 26 runs. Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman took two wickets each, while captain Keshav Maharaj also claimed two wickets to help bowl New Zealand out cheaply.
South Africa chased down in 17 overs.
Chasing a target of 92, South Africa completed the job comfortably in 16.4 overs. Wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen played a calm and steady innings, remaining unbeaten on 45 off 48 balls with two fours and two sixes. His knock guided the visitors to a seven-wicket victory with ease.
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Mokoena rewarded with Player of the Match
Mokoena, who was named Player of the Match on his debut, said he was happy with how his first game turned out.
“It felt really good to make my debut in the first match of the series,” he said. “My first two overs didn’t go the way I wanted, and I thought I might not get a wicket. But the conditions helped the bowlers a lot. There was some movement and I could use my slower balls well. I really enjoyed it.”