New Zealand Clinch Harare: New Zealand pulled off a dramatic seven-run win over South Africa in Harare to claim the tri-series trophy, after a nerveless final over from Matt Henry.
In a high-scoring contest where chasing had been the trend, Henry became the difference-maker as the Kiwis successfully defended 181 – the only successful defense at this venue during the tournament.
South Africa, powered by a blazing 92-run opening stand between Reeza Hendricks and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, looked on course for victory at 92/0 in the 10th over. Pretorius was particularly impressive, striking a 33-ball fifty that included powerful hits over long-on and midwicket.
However, once Jacob Duffy dismissed Hermann and Adam Milne removed Rassie van der Dussen, the Proteas’ momentum dipped, losing 4 for 39 and leaving them with 50 runs to get from the last 29 balls.
Dewald Brevis and George Linde then launched a counterattack, stitching a 43-run partnership off 25 balls to bring South Africa back into the game. With just seven needed off the final over, Henry bowled a brilliant spell under pressure.
He dismissed Brevis for 31 with a well-directed short ball that found Michael Bracewell at deep midwicket, before sending Linde back for 22 with a slower delivery that was caught by Daryl Mitchell at long-on. Senruan Muthusamy needed a boundary off the last ball but missed a slower yorker, sealing the game and the series for New Zealand.
Earlier, New Zealand’s innings of 180/5 was built on a solid 75-run opening partnership between Tim Seifert (30) and Devon Conway (47). Rachin Ravindra added flair with a quickfire 47 off 27 balls, including two sixes off Senruan Muthusamy. However, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Lungi Ngidi (4-0-24-1), kept the death overs tight, conceding just three boundaries in the last three overs.
He dismissed Brevis for 31 with a well-directed short ball that found Michael Bracewell at deep midwicket, before sending Linde back for 22 with a slower delivery that was caught by Daryl Mitchell at long-on. Senruan Muthusamy needed a boundary off the last ball but missed a slower yorker, sealing the game and the series for New Zealand.
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Brief scores: New Zealand 180/5 in 20 overs (Rachin Ravindra 47, Devin Conway 47; Lungi Ngidi 2/24, Senuran Muthusamy 1/27) beat South Africa 177/6 in 29 overs (Lhuan-dre-Pretorius 51, Reeza Hendricks 37; Matt Henry 2/19, Michael Bracewell 1/29) by three runs