New Zealand v South Africa – ICC World Twenty20 Warm-up Matches – Match Update – South Africa win by 9 runs
A stellar half-century by New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor went in vain as South Africa’s Dale Steyn claimed a 4-wicket haul to propel his side to a 9-run win over the Kiwis, during their ICC World Twenty20 Warm-up Match, played at the Colts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo today on September 17.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first, with James Franklin (3-0-31-2) and Adam Milne (4-0-26-2) leading the attack.
South Africa opened their innings with Richard Levi (24) and Faf du Plessis (24), both of whom joined forces to set up a 47-run stand. However, both batsmen were caught out by wicketkeeper BJ Watling off Milne by the 8th over.
Hashim Amla registered a disappointing 9 before he was sent packing by Rob Nicol in the 9th over. However, skipper AB de Villiers (54) managed to steady the innings, establishing a solid 62-run stand with Jean-Paul Duminy (30), which got the team total up to 123.
Both Duminy and Justin Ontong (0) were sent packing in the 16th over by Franklin, and de Villiers then proceeded to team up with Farhaan Behardien (24*) for a 39-run stand. Doug Bracewell claimed de Villiers for his only wicket of the day in the 19th over, and by the end of 20 overs, with Behardien and Albie Morkel (15*) at the crease, South Africa posted a final total of 186 at the expense of 6 wickets.
New Zealand’s chase was driven by a stellar performance from skipper Taylor, who contributed an individual score of 75 off 42, including 7 sixes and 2 fours – however, a fierce assault from Steyn (4-0-25-4) ensured that the Black Caps did not manage to get over the line.
The top-order, comprising Franklin (12), Martin Guptill (8) and Brendon McCullum (9) was fairly unremarkable, and the innings hinged on a 4th-wicket 94-run stand between Taylor and Rob Nicol (37). Both batsmen got their team up to 143, after which Lonwabo Tsotsobe claimed Taylor’s wicket in the 16th over.
Steyn followed up by dismissing Nathan McCullum (14), Nicol, and Bracewell (4) in the 19th over, and the final over saw Ronnie Hira dismissed on duck via run out. By the end of 20 overs, with Kane Williamson (7*) and Watling (2*) at the crease, New Zealand found themselves restricted to 177, as South Africa went on to claim a 9-run victory.
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