New Zealand Vs South Africa- 1st Twenty20 -– Wellington - New Zealand Won by 6 wickets – Match Recap
In-from Kiwi opening batsman, Martin Guptill, lead his team to a fine victory over South Africa in the first Twenty20 match, played at Westpac stadium, Wellington, on February 17, 2012.
New Zealand, who elected electing to field first after winning the toss, outclassed the tourists in all areas of the gamefield, and deservedly thrived on an excellent start to their new home series after thrashing Zimbabwe.
The right-handed pair, Hashim Amla and Richard Levi, opened the innings for South Africa-- Hashim, in his brisk innings, scored two boundaries, and a flat six to extra cover, before Guptill’s Jonty Rhode-likes-style dive into the wickets sent him back to the pavilion.
Following the first dismissal, Colin Ingram joined Levi, who then kept the scorecard ticking by hitting a six and a four to takeing the team score to 34, byat the end of the 4th over.
However, New Zealand bowlers however, then took command as the tourists failed to adjust to the track. Nathan McCullum, who opened the bowling forrom the Black Caps, picked up the second wicket to fall, that off Ingram, as the left-hander failed to connect to a ball, after coming down the pitch, gifting an easy stumping opportunity to Kiwi skipper and wicket-keeper, Brendon McCullum.
Proteas suffered further setbacks with Tim Southee picking up Levi – holed out at the long-on boundary, while SA captain AB de Villiers was brilliantly caught by Guptill off Ronnie Hira.
The Africans were 52 for 4 at the end of the 9th over when Jean-Paul Duminy and Justin Ontong added a crucial 50-run crucial partnership stand. The left-hander hit four boundaries in his innings of 41, and his partner smashed four consecutive sixes to off-breaker bowler, Kane Williamson before departing on 32.
The pairing helped the visitors to up finish up on a respectable 147 for 6 - Duminy was their highest run scorer, whereas McCullum’s off-spin proved economical with his four overs costing just 16.
Rob Nicol and Guptill gave their team another promising start by adding a quick-fire 49; with the latter being the prominent run getter. SA got their first breakthrough when the right-arm fast bowler, Rusty Theron, picked up the wicket of Nicol, who departed after contributing 13 runs to the total.
The Kiwi skipper, Brendon McCullum replaced the opener; staying for an invaluable 41-run stand before falling tooff JP Duminy.
It was then left to Kane Williamson (24) and Guptill to finish off the innings as the hosts chased down the target with 4 balls to spare. The opener, in his unbeaten innings of 78, hit five boundaries and four sixes which sealed the victory for his team.
Both teams will lock horns in the second T20 on Sunday, February 19, at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
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