South Africa routed New Zealand by 33 runs to win the series by 3-2
Connor Esterhuizen was adjuded the 'Player of the Series' for exceptional performance with the bat
This is Shukri Conrad first away series win as the Proteas white-ball coach
New Zealand Vs South Africa, 5th T20I: Connor Esterhuizen Shines As Proteas Clinch Decider, Series
Connor Esterhuizen slammed 75 off just 33 runs to guide South Africa to 33-run win over New Zealand in decider and secure the five-match series by 3-1 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch
Summary
South Africa hammered New Zealand by 33 runs in the decider to clinch the five-match T20I series by 3-2 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, March 25. It was Shukri Conrad's successive series win in this format and the first away win.
After a poor show with the bat in the second and third T20Is, the Proteas batters made a strong comeback in the last two matches to clinch the series.
In the process, they also discovered a potential future star in the form of Connor Esterhuizen, who slammed back-to-back fifties in the last two matches and played a decisive role in the series win.
Apart from Zak Foules and Josh Clarkson, other Kiwi bowlers went for over nine runs an over, with Cole McConchie turning out to be the most expensive one (0 for 48).
Batting first, South Africa pulled off the highest score of the series - 187/4 on the back of Esterhuizen's blistering 75 off 33 balls, which included five fours and six sixes. Earlier Wiaan Mulder and Rubin Hermann forged a vital 55-run stand to give the Proteas a decent start, laying a platform for the middle-order to build on.
In response, the White Ferns were restricted to 154/8 in 20 overs by South African bowlers. Bevon Jacobs impressed with his shot-making and blasted 36 off 19 balls; however, apart from him, no other Kiwi batter could go on to convert their small starts into a meaningful score and eventually handed the series to the Proteas at their own backyard.
Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, and Ottneil Baartman picked up two wickets each to derail the Kiwi chase.
New Zealand Vs South Africa Live Streaming, 5th T20I: Toss Update
New Zealand won the toss and asked South Africa to bat first.
New Zealand Vs South Africa Live Streaming, 5th T20I: Playing XIs
South Africa XI: Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen(w), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj(c), Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman
New Zealand XI: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver(w), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham(c), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears
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New Zealand Vs South Africa Live Streaming, 5th T20I: When, Where To Watch?
The match can be live streamed on the Sony LIV app/website.
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