First Twenty20 International at Kingsmead, Durban: BLACKCAPS 151-8 in 20 overs (Williamson 42, Guptill 42, Worker 28) lost to South Africa 154-4 in 17.5 overs (Amla 48, de Villiers 33, Roussow 38) by six wickets
Skipper Kane Williamson says the BLACKCAPS will quickly look to improve their option-taking with the bat in the second Twenty20 after South Africa gained ascendancy in the opening match.
“The way they controlled that last 10 with the ball stopped us from being more competitive on a good surface,” said Williamson. “It was a good performance from South Africa. We were looking for a few more on that surface, it was a 180 wicket, but they pulled it back nicely.
Sent in by stand-in Proteas captain AB de Villiers, Williamson and Martin Guptill had got the BLACKCAPS off to a strong enough start at 68-0 after seven overs — but the South African attack fought back hard to restrict the visitors to 151-8, the BLACKCAPS losing their eight wickets for 51 runs in the last eight overs.
Regular T20 captain Faf du Plessis had been ruled out after injuring his knee in the build-up, while counterpart Williamson seized the initiative in the humid, early season conditions with a blazing knock reminiscent of regular BLACKCAPS captain Brendon McCullum.
The 25-year-old flayed the attack as he hit eight boundaries in his innings of 42 from 21 balls. It came to an end when he charged off-spinner Aaron Phangiso, only to miss and be stumped by Morne van Wyk.
Images copyright Photosport.nz
At first drop, George Worker picked up from where he had left off in Harare to combine with Guptill for a 34-run partnership. It ended with Guptill run out, again by slick work from van Wyk.
George Worker contributed in all facets of the game. Photosport
Chipping in 28 off 26 balls, Worker looked to take the lead as they posted the 100 in the 12th over, but he would be undone by man of the match Phangiso who trapped the left-hander squarely in front.
From there, the South African bowling attack rediscovered the tight line and length that restricted the remainder of the order. Kagiso Rabada (2-29), David Wiese (2-24) and Phangiso (2-29) were the most successful for the Proteas, taking wickets at regular intervals with Rabada putting himself in line for a rare Twenty20 International hat-trick — of which there have been only three — when he accounted for Tom Latham and Nathan McCullum in the last over.
Rabada had a chance to join Jacob Oram and Tim Southee with a rare hat-trick
The Proteas got off to a flier in reply and, just one down after seven overs, always looked in control of the chase, needing their last 100 off 78 balls.
The BLACKCAPS fought hard, and were polished in the field as the team looked to back up its under-pressure bowlers. Doug Bracewell had been brought into the pacey line-up to open alongside Adam Milne — who clocked a fraction under 150kph and was the best of the effort with 1-23 off 3.5 as they tried to restrict the home side.
Bracewell got opener van Wyk to loop up a catch, that was successfully clutched on the second grab by Worker.
Off-pinner Worker then picked up a notable maiden Twenty20 International wicket in AB de Villiers — caught after a whirlwind 33 by Nathan McCullum.
But defending a lowish tally against a class top order, the attack was destined to battle in vain and Rilee Roussow (38) slugged Grant Elliott for six to make sure of it as the last few runs were ticked off. The only frustration for the Proteas was the sight of Hashim Amla throwing away an impressive half-century, caught on 48 attempting to hook Milne.
Tom Latham takes the catch to dismiss Amla. Photosport
The BLACKCAPS will look to bounce back and level the Series in the second T20 International on Sunday local time (12.00am Monday NZT) at Centurion.
