Credit: ICC
In the final of the T20 International Tri-series played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, New Zealand displayed their valiance and beat South Africa by three runs, to win the title. In the last-ball thriller, Matt Henry stepped up for the Kiwis and emerged as the hero by defending the runs successfully. At the toss, the Proteas emerged victorious and elected to field first. New Zealand got a rapid start from their openers Tim Seifert and Devon Conway as both stitched a 75-run stand for the opening wicket off just 52 balls. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthuswamy got rid of Seifert and delivered the first breakthrough to the Proteas in the ninth over. Seifert could chip in with only 30 off 28.
Conway and Rachin Ravindra looked in fabulous touch and hammered swift 47 respectively. Conway’s effort came in 31 balls, while Ravindra consumed only 27 deliveries. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell scored unbeaten 16 (14) and 15 (12) apiece. In the end, the Kiwis erected a fine total of 180/5 in their 20 overs. For South Africa, the most effective bowler was Lungi Ngidi, who picked up the crucial scalps of Conway and Mark Chapman. The pacer ended his spell with 2/24 figures in his four overs.
South Africa faltered despite getting a brilliant start in run chase
In the second innings, South Africa openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks took the Kiwi side’s bowling attack to the cleaners and collected 92 runs in just 58 balls. Michael Bracewell broke their partnership as he got Pretorius stumped by Seifert. Lhuan looked superb as he hammered an unbeaten 51 off 35.
South Africa kept on losing wickets in regular intervals, but Dewald Brevis was the danger man whose presence was threatening for the BlackCaps. In the final over, when South Africa needed seven, Matt Henry showcased his experience and got rid of the 22-year-old, who concluded his 16-ball 31-run knock.
After Brevis’ dismissal, the responsibility was on George Linde and Corbin Bosch to take India home, but Henry got rid of the former batter on the fifth delivery and left the Proteas with the option of hitting a four on the final ball to win the game. On the last ball of the match, Senuran Muthuswamy couldn’t make contact with the ball and New Zealand bagged a three-run win.
Henry, who notched up 2/19 figures in his three overs, became the player of the match (POTM). He also got the player of the series (POTS) award for becoming the highest wicket-taker in the series with 10 scalps in four contests.
