NZ vs SA, 2nd T20I: Conway, Ferguson, Sears help Kiwis level series with thumping win
Devon Conway (Source: X/@BLACKCAPS)
Published - 17 Mar 2026, 01:52 PM• Read time - 6 mins
Match Overview
New Zealand and South Africa locked horns in the second T20I of the five-match series at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, March 17. South African captain Keshav Maharaj won the toss and elected to bowl first.
The Kiwi openers - Devon Conway and Tom Latham - provided a steady start, adding 43 runs in the powerplay. Latham, who was playing second fiddle, succumbed soon after to Maharaj though. Less than an over later, new man Tim Robinson too was dismissed as South Africa kept the Kiwis in check. But, Conway and Nick Kelly combined to take their team forward with intent, upping the scoring rate during the 37-run 21-ball stand.
Kelly though was sent back to the pavilion in the 11th over for a quickfire 21 off 12 balls as skipper Mitchell Santner now got together with Conway. Another decent stand followed before South Africa struck back, sending both of them back. Just when it looked like New Zealand might settle for a 150-160 total, Cole McConchie and Josh Clarkson played rapid cameos adding 35 runs off the last 13 balls to take the Kiwis to 175/6.
South Africa, too, started off steadily but were dealt a double blow towards the end of the powerplay. Their innings started to go downhill from here as New Zealand attacked collectively. At the halfway mark, the Proteas were 65/4 needing 112 more runs to win.
George Linde combined with the lower order to fight a lone battle as the Kiwis were chipping away at the other end. Significantly, the South Africans lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs off as many balls. As a result, New Zealand completed a comprehensive victory by 68 runs and levelled the series 1-1.
Top run-scorer of the match
|
Player |
Team |
Runs |
Balls |
Fours |
Sixes |
Strike Rate |
| Devon Conway |
NZ |
60 |
49 |
5 |
2 |
122.44 |
Top wicket-taker of the match
|
Player |
Team |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
| Lockie Ferguson |
NZ |
3.3 |
1 |
16 |
3 |
4.57 |
Player of the Match
Devon Conway
Conway looked in great touch today. The left-hander took the initiative and provided a quick start right at the top of the order. The batter looked solid and scored runs with freedom and confidence to build a strong platform for the batters to come. The 34-year-old completed his 13th half century in the process and helped his team achieve a competitive total.
Turning Point
The triple strike which led to the dismissals of the South African top three for a mere two runs in the space of nine deliveries around the six-over mark dented the visitors' chances of chasing down the target. The Proteas never really recovered from it as New Zealand, subsequently, kept on taking wickets at regular intervals.
What the captains said
Winning Team Captain, Mitchell Santner (NZ)
"It's definitely, yeah, like, just the length of the powerplay, but I think, you know, looking at the way kind of dots cobbled and then when you slowed it up, there was actually a bit more there. So trying to use those, I guess, pace changes and just ask to see the ball swing. Yeah, I think we, you know, we beat it well for the first kind of three overs. You know, it looked like it was tricky and we kind of got through a little bit of a spell and then, you know, cashed in, which was nice. I think definitely, you know, game starts in time, while the flow at times, and then you cashed in and played a great knock. And then, you know, some contributions on the way here with Clarkie (Josh Clarkson), you know, sending it at the end, which was nice to get us up to, you know, properly in above the par score. Yeah, it's great to see, obviously, the crowd was just outstanding. So I was watching me away for a little bit of an end here and then come home to play. I have a series against a very good team."
Losing Team Captain, Keshav Maharaj (SA)
"Obviously, lost however, that from honestly both of you was going to play a large factor in terms of changing the wicket, but look, there was dew in the outfield, but the wicket got a little bit worse, so I'll take that on my chip. Yeah, very much so. I think we're not using the fact that we're at home, which is the wicket better. But I think the way New Zealand ball gave us nothing up front and really set for the last three, forced us to make a play on a very tricky wicket. Yeah, very much so. I think as a team bowling unit, the guys have done really well in the last two games, quite precisely and nicely when they needed to, and then, you know, the little bit of self-belief from George (Linde) at the back end, hitting some spectacular shots. So there's still a lot of positives to come out from the game, but back to the drawing board come Saturday again. Yeah, it's been refreshing to see some of our local people back, yeah. It's always nice to have the support where we go in the world."
