New Zealand vs South Africa 4th T20I: Esterhuizen, Coetzee star as SA level series in Wellington

Match Overview

South Africa made a brilliant comeback in the five-match series against New Zealand, as they won the fourth T20I by 19 runs on Sunday, March 22 at Sky Stadium, Wellington. After opting to bat first, South Africa posted a good score of 164/5 in their allotted 20 overs, riding on a splendid half-century from Connor Esterhuizen.

In reply, New Zealand were bundled out for 145 in 18.5 overs as Gerald Coetzee ran through the Kiwi batting lineup. The hosts got off to a good start in the run chase with Tim Robinson (32 off 22) and Dan Cleaver (26 off 16) making valuable contributions.

Courtesy of their knocks, New Zealand were cruising at 76/2 in 8.1 overs, needing 89 runs from 71 balls. However, South African bowlers made a dramatic comeback in the game, led by Gerald Coetzee and skittled the Kiwis in no time. Ottneil Baartman (2/30), Prenelan Subrayen (2/13) and Keshav Maharaj (2/22) also took two wickets each for the Proteas.

As a result, South Africa managed to register a comfortable victory to level the series 2-2 with one game remaining. 

Best Batter of the Match

Best Bowler of the Match

Player of the Match

Connor Esterhuizen was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant half-century as he scored a magnificent 57 off 36 balls, laced with seven fours and three sixes. He got involved in a massive 81-run stand off 56 balls with Tony de Zorzi to give a strong foundation to the South African innings.

Turning Point

Dan Cleaver looked in fine touch in the middle during New Zealand’s run chase. Coming in to bat at number three, he raced to 26 off just 15 balls. However, Prenelan Subrayan shattered his stumps in the ninth over to send him back to the pavilion. His dismissal triggered a collapse, and New Zealand lost last eight wickets for 69 runs.

What did the Captains say:

Winning Captain, Keshav Maharaj (SA):

"Yeah, very much so. It's the perfect response to two disappointing losses in a row, but that speaks to the character within the unit. Obviously, had some really good chats, but the attitude towards how we came about our business was really, really crucial to see. (adapting to conditions today, did it please him?) Yeah, very much so. I think there was no preconceived ideas coming into the game in terms of plans, just, you know, saw the ball and played the ball on merit, which, you know, gave us the reward. But like I said, the energy within the camp was really good coming into this game. Really good warm-up. You could see there was a little bit of energy and a little bit of hunger within the environment. And then, you know, to transfer it on the field was phenomenal to see. (on players showing fire in a Protea jersey) Yeah, very much so. I think, playing for your country that fire and passion will always be there, but, you know. Now and then, you just need a little bit of a reminder, and, you know, it is a young team finding your way into international cricket, so it does take a little bit of time, but to see the response after three games is superb. (on where the game changed?) I think the way the debutant bowled and got those two crucial wickets to set it up. But obviously, Otos (Baartman) came in, two dropped catches, but, you know, there wasn't a sense of panic, which is important for me to stay calm on the field. The next one, even higher, and you know, Gerald plucked it out, and then obviously I came in and got the two wickets. But I think just in general, it was a real buzz and energy and aura about us on the field, which was pleasing to see. (on their batting) Yeah, very much so. I think, like I said before, there was no pre-planned ideas coming in. Maybe the previous games we looked too much into that sort of things, but the guys just adapted accordingly. Also sort of lost our way a little bit towards the back-end, but you know what! It was still enough to get us over the line today."

Losing Captain, James Neesham (NZ):

"Yeah, disappointing performance. Yeah, probably a wicket that was a good surface without being outstanding. So, yeah, I thought the score of 165 was probably around par, maybe slightly below par. And yeah, certainly had a chance going into the, I suppose, the second half of the game. And yeah, a few average options and yeah, poor execution, and you come out the wrong side of it. (on the pitch) There was a little bit in the surface in the first innings as well, I think. Esterhuizen batted well in the powerplay to kind of be aggressive and sort of put us off our lengths and you sort of get backed into a corner a little bit with trying to bowl variations. And I think that showed in the second innings, if you just stuck to a hard length and let the ball do the work, there was a little bit of sideways movement and yeah, we had a few sort of average options and as I said, just fell short. (on captaincy) Yeah, it was enjoyable. You know, you're sort of no stranger, I guess, to how it all works with sort of being in the leadership group, I guess, in the field usually. And you have those conversations around, you know, fields and bowling changes and that kind of thing. So it's not a huge change to just become the person that makes the call in the end, I guess. (on where he sees New Zealand cricket at the moment) Yeah, very strong. I think that's probably the, I suppose, what this series is good for is displaying the depth in both sides. Both sides missing a few players. So it's always an opportunity for us to blood young guys and guys like Katene Clarke, who's obviously had a barnstorming Super Smash this year, gets his opportunity at the next level. And, you know, in three or four years' time when a couple of guys move on, it's always good to have, you know, a few games of experience into that next level of player. (on the decider) Probably a bit of honesty, I guess, around, you know, where things went wrong today. I think, you know, we bowled extremely well in the previous two games and then probably got a little bit carried away with, you know, variations and that kind of thing. So, yeah, as you mentioned, Hagley, a bigger ground, bigger surface area. You know, those different options come into play a little bit more. And yeah, a couple of days, which is rare. So a training session to get things come together and then, yeah, hopefully close out the series."