New Zealand Vs South Africa Highlights, 1st T20I: Connor Esterhuizen Guides Proteas To A Comfortable Win

Hello cricket fans! We are here with the live coverage of the 1st T20I between New Zealand and South Africa at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Stay tuned for the live score and play-by-play updates of the match here.

South Africa Squad: Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, Jordan Hermann, George Linde, Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen(w), Prenelan Subrayen, Dian Forrester, Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Keshav Maharaj(c), Lutho Sipamla, Rubin Hermann, Andile Simelane, Nqobani Mokoena

New Zealand Squad: Devon Conway(w), Tim Robinson, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner(c), Bevon Jacobs, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, Cole McConchie, Dane Cleaver, Nick Kelly, Ben Sears, Katene D Clarke, Jayden Lennox, Zakary Foulkes

Mitchell Santner-led side play their first T20I since their final defeat at the hands of India in Ahmedabad on March 8. India lifted their third WC crown by beating the Kiwis by 96 runs.

New Zealand have won the toss and have opted to bat.

South Africa (Playing XI): Connor Esterhuizen(w), Jordan Hermann, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj(c), Nqobani Mokoena, Ottneil Baartman

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Tom Latham(w), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Zakary Foulkes, Cole McConchie, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

Wicket! Gerald Coetzee sends Devon Conway back in the first over itself. Not the kind of start, New Zealand would be looking for as Conway tries to clear the mid-wicket fielder on a back-of-length delivery but ends up giving an easy catch.

NZ 2/1 (1)

Another one bites the dust for New Zealand. Gerald Coetzee gets his second wicket as Tom Latham gets trapped in front of wickets. The hosts are in a spot of bother in the powerplay.

NZ 18/2 (3)

The powerplay is done and dusted as South Africa have dominated it on the back of some scintillating bowling by Proteas pacers. Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman have picked two wickets each to put Black Caps on the backfoot.

NZ 43/5 (7)

A small partnership is being put up by Jimmy Neesham and Cole McConchie for the 7th wicket. Neesham smashed Keshav Maharaj for a sensational reverse sweep six to take 13 runs from the 12th over. However, the Kiwis would like both the batters to go till the end to take the team to a respectable total.

NZ 80/6 (12)

Another Kiwi batter gets out playing a rash out. Cole McConchie (15) was the last batter to depart as he tried to play a half-pull shot to clear the boundary ropes but could only find the long-on fielder. NZ gets bundles in just 14.3 over at a paltry total of 91. It was a horrendous effort by the Kiwi batter as they get all out with 33 balls to spare.

NZ 91 (14.3)

Proteas opener - Tony de Zorzi and Connor Esterhuizen gets off their team to a steady start. Though Kylie Jamieson got some seam movement from the wicket, but the openers survived and got six runs from the over.

SA 6/0 (1)

New Zealand got the early wicket of Tony de Zorzi (2), who was dismissed by Zakary Foulkes. However, since then, debutant R Hermann (1*) and Connor Esterhuizen (12*) have stabilized the Proteas innings to make sure NZ don't get a sniff into the game.

SA 20/1 (4)

It looks like South Africa are running away with the game. Connor Esterhuizen got some loose balls on a spicy pitch and he made the most of it by depositing it out of the stands with disdain.

SA 44/2 (7)

Mitchell Santner bowled a beautiful over in which he gave only 2 runs and got Jason Smith (10) stumped. However, it's looking too little too late for NZ as the Proteas just need 35 runs off 10 overs with 3 wickets in hand.

SA 57/3 (10)

While it hasn't been a smooth sailing for South Africa in the chase, yet are at a comfortable position in the chase, courtesy of a gritty innings by Connor Esterhuizen, who has held one end and stabilized the Proteas' innings. SA now need 18 runs more to win from five overs with 7 wickets in hand.

SA 74/3 (15)

Connor Esterhuizen smashed Kyle Jamieson for a six and finishes the match in style. He played a sensible unbeaten knock of 45 to guide his team home, while chasing a small target of 92. SA lead the five-match series by 1-0 with this win.

That's a wrap from our end! We'll meet again with another blog soon then, until then, bye bye.