Jamieson, Sears set up NZ’s 68-run win over South Africa:Devon Conway stars in 2nd T20I as Kiwis level series 1-1

New Zealand defeated South Africa by 68 runs in the 2nd T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday, 17 March. With this victory, New Zealand have levelled the series 1-1 after going down in the first match on Sunday. Chasing 176 to win, South Africa were bowled out for 107 in 15.3 overs with Lockie Ferguson (3/16) and Ben Sears (3/14) taking three wickets each. Devon Conway, whose 60 powered New Zealand to 175/6, was named Player of the Match. Devon Conway drives New Zealand to fighting score New Zealand would have felt pressure after being asked to bat at Seddon Park, especially on the back of the horror show in Mount Maunganui when they were skittled out for just 91 runs. And Conway led the charge for the Kiwis right at the top of the order. The left-hander smashed five fours and two sixes in his 49-ball knock to take New Zealand to a fighting total. Conway also completed 6000 runs in international cricket in the course of this knock. Apart from Conway, Josh Clarkson (26*), Nick Kelly (21) and captain Mitchell Santner (20) were the other major contributors. For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder took two wickets (2/14) while Gerald Coetzee (1/28), Ottneil Baartman (1/31), Keshav Maharaj (1/45) and George Linde (1/33) were the other wicket-takers. Also read: AB de Villiers questions Dhoni’s spot in CSK: Cites ‘Ruturaj, Sanju as perfect players’ to succeed Thala Pacers set up emphatic win for New Zealand South Africa found themselves under pressure big time while chasing 176, being restricted to 31/2 in the powerplay. The Proteas did not have many partnerships of note, with the highest of them being a 29-run stand between openers Mulder (16) and Connor Esterhuizen (8).
New Zealand kept pegging South Africa back with wickets, not allowing the visitors to gain any sort of momentum whatsoever. And in the end, the Proteas were bowled out for just 107 runs in 15.3 overs. Apart from Sears and Ferguson who took three wickets each, skipper Santner bagged two (2/19) while Cole McConchie (1/24) and James Neesham (1/10) were among the wickets.