WELLINGTON: New Zealand suffered a significant setback ahead of the fourth T20I against South Africa at Sky Stadium on Sunday, with wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham ruled out due to injury.
The Blackcaps confirmed in a statement on social media that Latham was hit on the thumb by South African pacer Nikobani Mokona during the third match of the series at Eden Park on March 20.
Right-handed batsman Tom Blundell replaces Latham and provides cover for both the top-order and wicket-keeping.
Notably, 33-year-old Latham was named captain of New Zealand in the final two matches of the series as part of a rotation policy after Mitchell Santner led the team in the first three games.
In Latham’s absence, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is now expected to continue leading the series, which New Zealand currently lead 2-1 following their win in the third T20I.
Batting first in this match, South Africa scored 136-9 in 20 overs. Lockie Ferguson dismissed opener Vian Mulder off the fifth ball of the second over for four balls.
The visitors’ woes continued when wicketkeeper-batsman Connor Esterhuizen fell to skipper Mitchell Santner for 15 in an innings that included 2 fours and a six off 8 balls, as South Africa reeled at 26-2 in 4.2 overs.
Fellow opener Tony De Zorzi hit 15 off 18 balls with two fours before being dismissed cheaply by Ben Sears.
Santner removed Jason Smith for 10 off seven balls to claim his second wicket, deepening South Africa’s woes at 44-4 in seven overs.
Jimmy Neesham made 17 off 15 balls to dismiss Forester.
George Linde scored a crucial 23 off 19 balls, including 2 fours and a six, falling to Kyle Jamieson, while Gerald Coetzee added a brisk 16 off 8 balls. Ben Sears dismissed Proteas skipper Keshav Maharaj for 3 runs.
A late partnership between Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla helped South Africa reach a defendable total, with Mokoena scoring 26 off 20 balls, including a four and 3 sixes. Siphamla completed four and a half.
In reply, New Zealand chased down the target easily, losing only 2 wickets in 16.2 overs.
Opening the batting alongside Devon Conway, Latham scored 96 runs before raising his bat for his fifth T20I half-century. Conway fell to Maharaj after scoring 39 off 26 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Tim Robinson then put on a 40-run partnership with Latham before being dismissed by Lutho Chibamla for 17 off 17 balls as New Zealand cruised to 136-2 in 16.1 overs.
The Blackcaps crossed the target with 22 balls to spare as Latham was unbeaten on 63 off 55 balls, an innings that included 7 fours and 2 sixes. Nick Kelly finished unbeaten in one match.