NZ vs SA, 5th T20I Live Score: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl.

The five-match T20 series between New Zealand and South Africa is tied at 2-2. Both the teams have won two games each, making today’s final match decisive.

James Neesham: We will bowl first. Not too worried. It looks like a pretty even contest. There is some grass on the pitch, which will help the ball spin quickly, so that is a positive. It’s always good to be back at Hagley Oval. There is definitely more experience in the group playing here now. We have spent a lot of time at this venue, and it is always a great place for cricket. The crowd turns up in large numbers and creates a great atmosphere. The series is at stake tonight, it’s an important game and hopefully we can put in a good performance for them.

Keshav Maharaj: We were actually looking to bat first, taking some inspiration from the women’s game we have played in the past. It seemed like the better option, especially if the pitch remained the same as it was, so yes, batting first was probably the plan. Yes, it is definitely useful. You’ll have to pay a little attention to the overnight weather, but generally conditions don’t change much. This gives you a good reference point, especially from a bowling perspective around the right line and length to hit. And from a batting point of view, it helps you identify scoring areas, be it square of the wicket, through the off-side or straight down the ground.

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Robinson, Katy Clark, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham (c), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zachary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears.

South Africa (Playing XI): Wiaan Mulder, Tony De Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Harman, Jason Smith, Diane Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Prenlan Subrayan, Otniel Bartman.