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HARARE: Debutant Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson’s gutsy knocks, followed by an all-round bowling effort, led New Zealand to a 21-run victory over South Africa here on Wednesday.
The New Zealand vs South Africa match was the second fixture of the tri-series played at the Harare Sports Club.
Chasing a target of 174 runs, South Africa’s innings folded on 152 in 18.2 overs.
In pursuit of the target, the Proteas had a rapid start, scoring 34 in just 3.2 overs. However, the Black Caps laid the first blow, removing dangerous Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who struck 27 off 17 deliveries with the help of six fours.
South Africa’s progress was dented further in the next over as Rubin Hermann (1) was caught by Matt Henry off Jacob Duffy’s bowling, reducing them to 35-2.
The wickets continued to tumble as Mitchell Santner removed Reeza Hendricks ( 16 off 12 balls), which reduced South Africa to 50-3 at the end of the powerplay.
South Africa’s half of the side went back to the pavilion by the ninth over as Rassie van der Dussen and Senuran Muthusamy fell in quick succession.
The scorecard read 62-5 when Dewald Brevis arrived at the crease, who tried to lift South Africa out of the trouble. He forged a quick-fire 39-run stand of 20 balls with George Linde, bringing the score near 100 at the halfway stage of the innings.
Brewis looked impressive for his 35 off 18 deliveries, laced with three sixes and a four; however, he was caught off Matt Henry’s bowling. George Linde put in a valiant effort with 30 off 20 balls, striking two sixes and a four, bringing down the equation to 38 off the last four overs.
However, New Zealand put on a clinical bowling effort at the death to bundle out the rainbow nation.
For Black Caps, Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy picked up three wickets each, while seasoned bowler Ish Sodhi was clinical with two wickets.
Earlier, after being put in to bat first, New Zealand posted 173-5 in their allocated 20 overs, thanks to a rearguard effort from debutant Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson.
The duo put on a mammoth 103-run partnership to lift New Zealand out of trouble after a shambolic batting performance from their top order.
The Black Caps were reduced to 70-5 in only 9.3 overs; however, Robinson (75* off 57) featuring three sixes and six fours and Jacobs (44* off 30) with the aid of three fours and a six powered them to a formidable total.
For South Africa, Kwena Maphaka scalped two wickets. Lungi Ngidi, Senuran Muthusamy and Gerald Coetzee chipped in with two wickets each.
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