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Full Noise by SN
Spinners shine as SA beat Blackcaps to level T20 series
AP • March 23rd, 2026 7:34 am
Maharaj | Photo: AAP
The Blackcaps struggled against South Africa's spinners as the Proteas won the fourth Twenty20 by 19 runs to level their five-match series 2-2.
Connor Esterhuizen made a maiden half-century from 33 balls as South Africa scored 5-164 after choosing to bat. Esterhuizen eventually was out for 57 and his innings made the difference between the teams.
New Zealand were ahead at 2-63 after the powerplay, with Tim Robinson making 32 from 22 balls at the top of the order.
But left-armer Prenelan Subrayen took 2-13 on debut and Keshav Maharaj took 2-22 to cut through the New Zealand middle order and turn the match in South Africa's favour.
The Kiwis were ultimately bowled out for 145 in 18.5 overs.
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Dane Cleaver made 26 from 16 balls, returning to the New Zealand line-up after almost three years.
He was looking dangerous when he was beaten and bowled by a Subrayen delivery. Bevon Jacobs was also bowled by Subrayen when the ball dipped under his bat.
Jimmy Neesham (10) was dropped twice then caught in the same over from Ottneil Baartman, who took 2-30 from four overs.
Maharaj removed Nick Kelly (16) and Cole McConchie (10) as the spinners pinned down the New Zealand batters by varying their pace and flight.
"I thought a total of 164 was about par, maybe a bit below par," New Zealand captain Neesham said. "We certainly had a chance going into the second half of the game."
New Zealand's already depleted line-up was further reduced by the loss of Tom Latham to injury and Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson for the last two matches of the series.
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Esterhuizen rallied South Africa after they had lost Wiaan Mulder to the second ball of their innings.
The right-hander hit a six and a four from the third over, a six and four in the fourth over, and a six and two fours among 17 runs in the fifth over, keeping the South Africa run-rate up.
South Africa was 50-1 after the powerplay, their best start of the series so far.
Esterhuizen reached his half-century in the 10th over with a boundary from Ben Sears, the sixth four of his innings that also included three sixes.
He looked set to go big when brilliantly caught by Katene Clarke on debut, running in and diving forward from deep square leg.
Tony de Zorzi, who was the quiet partner in an 81-run stand with Esterhuizen for the second wicket, was out next over for 23 from 21 balls.
Rubin Hermann (28no) and Dian Forrester (19) put on 38 for the fourth wicket, keeping South Africa ticking over.
The deciding match is at Christchurch on Wednesday.
