NZ vs SA 4th T20I: The South African spinners played a huge role and helped the visitors win the fourth T20I against New Zealand by 19 runs and have levelled the five-match series by 2-2. The hosts were on the verge of winning this series halfway through their chase in Wellington, where the Proteas had posted a target of 163 runs. They were 88/3 after 10 overs, but then suffered a batting collapse and were skittled out for 145. Thus, this has now forced the series, which has been played between two depleted sides, to be decided in a decider next week in Christchurch.
The match went in favour of the Proteas spinners Keshav Maharaj and Prenelan Subhrayen as they made a comeback during the middle overs.
South African skipper Keshav Maharaj is currently one of the most experienced players in the ongoing series and has proved his worth as he registered figures of 2/22 in the four overs that he bowled.
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Subrayen made his debut in this format. He dismissed Dane Cleaver for just 26 runs. That resulted in the Kiwi side suffering a middle-order batting collapse. Subrayen registered figures of 2/13 in the three overs he bowled.
Maharaj revealed that they were more energetic in this game than in the ones in Hamilton and Auckland, which they lost.
"It was a perfect response to two disappointing losses in a row," Keshav Maharaj told broadcasters in the post-match presentation.
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"Coming into this game, you could see there was a little bit more energy and hunger. We are a young team, finding our way in international cricket. So it takes a little bit of time," he added.
New Zealand opener Tim Robinson was their highest run-getter. He scored 32 runs. South Africa's Gerald Coetzee was the pick among the bowlers, registering match-winning figures of 3/31.
South African wicket-keeper Connor Estehuizen played a crucial role, scoring a match-winning 57 off 36 balls, anchoring the Proteas’ innings and setting up a defendable total.
Katen Clarke took a stunning catch to help the team dismiss him. This happened in his debut international match during Ben Sears' over.
Sears performed brilliantly. He registered figures of 1/22 in the four overs he bowled. He leaked just two runs in his last over.