New Zealand Vs South Africa, 2nd T20I Highlights: Kiwis Fight Back In Style To Level The Series With 68-Run Victory

Good Morning folks. Welcome to the live coverage of the 2nd of the 5-match T20I series between hosts New Zealand and visitors South Africa. This is the start of our blog so stay tuned for the real-time updates and a lot more.

The match is schedule to start from 11:45AM (IST) onwards. Coin toss will take place shortly.

Conditions in Hamilton for today's second T20I are perfect for cricket, with sunny skies and a high of 22°C. Humidity is 54% with a light 3 mph breeze from the west. Night conditions will remain clear with a low of 11°C and no chance of precipitation.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first.

New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Tom Latham (WK), Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, Mitchell Santner (C), James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Kyle Jamieson, Benjamin Sears and Lockie Ferguson

South Africa XI: Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen (WK), Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (C), Nqobani Mokoena and Ottniel Baartman

Tom Latham and Devon Conway are out in the middle and Gerald Coetzee will bowl the first over. Conway smashed a four off the first ball and we go underway for the 2nd T20I.

It has been a decent start from the Kiwi openers as Tom Latham and Devon Conway play with caution.

New Zealand accumulate 43 runs in the powerplay as the South African bowlers held on to a tight line-length. The Kiwis will have to increase the run-rate in order to set up a fighting total.

Two wickets fall in quick succession and that's what exactly South Africa needed after going wicketless in the powerplay. Tom Latham got out in the 7th over for 11 while Tim Robinson's stumps were cleaned up by George Linde for just 1 run.

Devon Conway is still at the crease - 5 runs away from his half-century.

Devon Conway gets to his half-century but New Zealand have lost their 3rd wicket in the form of Nick Kelly who got out for 21 off 12. Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner is currently at the crease with Conway.

Devon Conway departs after scoring a rather slow 60 runs off 49 while Santner got out for just 20. All-rounder James Neesham and Cole McConchi are currently in the middle and they will be aiming to add at least 30-40 runs more in the remaining 3 overs.

New Zealand have posted a competitive 175/6 after being put in to bat. Devon Conway anchored the innings with a solid 60, while a blistering final-over cameo from Josh Clarkson (24 runs off Keshav Maharaj) shifted the momentum. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Gerald Coetzee (1/28), kept it tight before the late surge.

Cracking start from Wiaan Mulder and Connor Esterhuizen to start off the South African chase of 176. The run-rate in the first 3 overs is well below the required rate but the Proteas duo are just getting started.

SA: 24/0 (4)

After a solid start, both the openers Mulder and Estenhuizer have been sent back to the dressing room for 16 and 8 runs respectively. South Africa's 3rd wicket has also fallen in the form of Tony de Zorzi in the very first ball after the powerplay's conclusion.

Oh no! Not the sight South Africa were hoping for as the Proteas have been reduced to 5 wickets in a quick succession.

Rubin Hermann (19) and Jason Smith (12) have fallen down for a combined score of just 31 and the job has just become much for difficult for the Rainbow Nation. The required rate has spiked up to 11 per over.

It's almost over South Africa have got the taste of their own medicine. 9 down for just 99 runs is not what the Proteas had expected but all the credits should go to the New Zealand bowlers, who have been excellent today.

That's it. The South Africans have been bowled out for just 107, suffering a 68-run defeat to let New Zealand level the 5-match series 1-1. It was a superb performance from the Kiwi bowlers, especially by Lockie Ferguson and Benjamin Sears who registered 3 wickets each.