Connor Esterhuizen helps South Africa defeat NZ in 4th T20I:Gerald Coetzee takes 3 wickets; series tied 2-2

South Africa defeated New Zealand by 19 runs in the fourth T20I of the five-match series on Sunday, 22 March. With this win, South Africa have levelled the series 2-2. The fifth match will be played at Hagley Oval on 25 March. Batting first on Sunday, the team scored 164/5 in 20 overs. In response, the New Zealand team was all out for 145 runs in 18.5 overs. Connor Esterhuizen’s 57 took SA to 164/5 South Africa batted first in this decisive contest and scored 164/5. Connor Esterhuizen was the standout performer for his team with a 57-run knock off 36 deliveries. His knock included seven fours and three sixes. Apart from himRubin Hermann scored an unbeaten 28. In the end, George Linde scored a quickfire 14 off eight balls to take the team past 160. For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson created pressure by bowling a maiden over early on. He finished with figures of 2/29 in his four overs. Zak Foulkes (1/35), Ben Sears (1/22) and Cole McConchie (1/26) took one wicket each. Also read: Bangladesh to play white-ball series against India in September: BCCI to seek government’s approval amid cross-border tension Proteas hit back after NZ’s fiery start Chasing the target, New Zealand got off to a fast start with Tim Robinson and debutant Katene Clarke. The team scored 63/2 in the powerplay. Robinson scored 32 runs, while Dane Cleaver, batting at number three, also played some good shots. But South Africa took control of the game in the middle overs. The Proteas took continuous wickets, restricting New Zealand to 96/5. Prenelan Subrayen dismissed Cleaver and Bevan Jacobs, while Ottniel Baartman and Keshav Maharaj also took crucial wickets. New Zealand tried hard but eventually fell short by 19 runs. Gerald Coetzee, who took three wickets, finished the match by taking the last wicket in the 19th over as the Kiwis were bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs. Apart from Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman (2/30), Prenelan Subrayen (2/13) and Keshav Maharaj (2/32) took two wickets each. Wiaan Mulder scalped one wicket while taking just one wicket.