Proteas wilt in the second T20I against Black Caps

New Zealand turned the tables on the Proteas with a commanding 68-run victory in the second T20I to level up the five-match series at Hamilton on Tuesday.

The hosts rallied to 176/7, courtesy of a half-century from South African-born Devon Conway (60), and lower-order hitting from Josh Clarkson (26 not out off 9 balls) and Cole McConchie (18 not out off 12 balls).

On a two-paced surface, the Kiwi bowlers then utilised the conditions to good effect with the seamers opting for pace off and cutters into the wicket, while the spinners were also hugely effective in dismissing the Proteas for just 107.

None of the Proteas could manage a score in excess of George Linde’s 33 off 12 balls, which illustrated the hold the Black Caps hold on proceedings.

Pace bowler Ben Sears was the Kiwis’ most successful bowler with figures of 3/14, but he was well supported by captain Mitchell Santner (2/14) before Lockie Ferguson (2/8) ran through the Proteas tail. 

The Proteas lost wickets in clusters throughout with the opening three falling within the space of three runs, and then another four for three runs at the backend.

The result was the visitors could not build any meaningful partnerships that stifled any chance of building any momentum through their innings.

Earlier, the Proteas had done well with the ball initially with the Black Caps delicately placed at 124/5 in the 16th over when the set batter Conway departed.

But that’s when the lower-order rallied with Clarkson, in particular, putting the game beyond the Proteas reach by smashing Maharaj for 24 runs in the final over.

Scoreboard

New Zealand: 176/7 (Conway 60, Clarkson 26*, Mulder 2/14)

South Africa: 109 all out (Linde 33, Sears 3/14, Ferguson 3/16, Santner 2/19)

New Zealand won by 68 runs, level the series 1-1