AUCKLAND: Tom Latham and the New Zealand bowlers played well as the Blackcaps beat South Africa by eight wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series at Eden Park on Friday.
Batting first, the Proteas struggled from the start. Lockie Ferguson ducked opener Vian Mulder for four on the fifth delivery of the second over.
South Africa’s woes continued as wicketkeeper-batsman Connor Esterhuizen fell to captain Mitchell Santner for 15 off 8 balls with 2 fours and a six as the visitors reeled at 26-2 in 4.2 overs.
South Africa’s other opener, Tony De Sorji, was dismissed cheaply by Ben Sears after scoring 15 off 18 balls with 2 fours.
Santner then claimed his second wicket, removing Jason Smith for 10 off seven balls to send South Africa into further trouble at 44-4 in seven overs.
The collapse continued as Rubin Herman was clean bowled by Cole McConchie for four from 8 balls, reducing the Proteas to 44-5.
Dion Forrester and George Linde looked to stabilize the innings, adding 22 crucial runs to take the total past 50.
However, Jimmy Neesham dismissed Forester for 17 off 15 balls and South Africa were 68-6 in 11.1 overs.
George Linde scored 23 off 19 balls, including two fours and a six, before falling to Kyle Jamieson. Gerald Coetzee scored 16 runs off 8 balls and Ben Sears dismissed Proteas skipper Kesav Maharaj for 3 runs.
A late partnership between Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla helped South Africa post a defendable total, with Mokona scoring 26 off 20 balls, including a four and three sixes, while Sipamla hit four.
On the New Zealand side, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner and Ben Sears took 2 wickets each and Lockie Ferguson, Cole McKenzie and Jimmy Neesham took one wicket each.
In reply, New Zealand chased down the target with ease, losing just 2 wickets in 16.2 overs thanks to a brilliant innings by wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham.
Opening with Devon Conway, Latham scored 96, lifting 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 joined Latham in a 40-run partnership but was dismissed by Lutho Chipamla for 17 off 17 balls as New Zealand were bowled out for 136-2 in 16.1 overs.
The Blackcaps eventually passed the target with 22 balls to spare. Latham was unbeaten on 63 off 55 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes, with Nick Kelly adding a run.
With this win, New Zealand take a 2-1 lead in the 5-match series. The fourth T20I will be played in Wellington on March 22.