New Zealand vs South Africa 2nd T20 match: Devon Conway’s brilliant performance helps New Zealand beat South Africa by 68 runs
Devon Conway scored consecutive 60 runs as New Zealand bowlers defeated South Africa by 68 runs in the second T20 match on Tuesday to level the five-match series 1-1.
New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd T20I: highlight | Achievement:
Asked to bat at Seddon Park, New Zealand scored 175 for 6 on a surface that became increasingly difficult as the game progressed. South Africa were never able to chase the target and were all out for 107 runs in 15.3 overs.
Conway provided the backbone of the innings, determining the square of the wicket and holding things together when conditions became tough. Tom Latham used the ramp shot to create the early momentum by hitting a six and a four as New Zealand reached 43 without loss in the powerplay.
But scoring runs became difficult in the middle overs. Latham fell for 11, while Nick Kelly (21 off 12) and Mitchell Santner (20 off 14) started without converting them. Conway, who opened the innings, eventually fell trying to accelerate.
A late cameo from Josh Clarkson, who scored 26 off just nine balls, gave New Zealand a strong finish, with 24 coming in the final over.
South Africa’s goal never progressed. The pitch had variable bounce and pace and New Zealand’s fast bowlers took full advantage of this. With wickets falling regularly, Ben Sears (3-14) and Lockie Ferguson (3-16) took charge.
All ten of South Africa’s wickets came via catches, highlighting their struggle to time the ball. The visiting team lost six wickets for 40 runs and the innings ended soon.
George Linde provided brief resistance, scoring 33 runs from 12 balls with three fours and three sixes, but Ferguson dismissed him to end any hope of a fight.
South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj said his team expected dew to make batting conditions easier but misjudged the pitch.
“I thought we bowled really well up to a point and then lost our way with the bat,” he said. “We thought dew would be a big factor… but the wicket got a bit rough.”
The third T20 match will be played in Auckland on Friday.
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