South Africa opt to bowl vs New Zealand
On a wicket Jess Kerr described as a “belter” after New Zealand women lost to South Africa by 18 runs, South Africa‘s men’s team opted to chase in Hamilton. South Africa have a 1-nil lead in the five-match series.
They made one change to the team that beat New Zealand on Sunday and it was forced through injury. Jordan Hermann is out of the series with a hamstring concern and Wiaan Mulder, who was a late replacement for Eathan Bosch in the squad, will open the batting in his place. South Africa have no other reserve batters in the touring party. They kept the same attack that bowled New Zealand out for 91 with no room for experienced quick Lutho Sipamla.
New Zealand are also missing personnel through injury. Bevan Jacobs suffered bone bruising on his left knee in the first T20I and is out of this match. Allrounder Josh Clarkson has been brought into the XI with Lockie Ferguson has been picked in place of Zak Foulkes.
Earlier in the day, South Africa’s women’s team posted 177 on 5 on a surface Tazmin Brits said was “much more of a batting wicket,” than the one the teams played on in Tauranga.
New Zealand: 1 Devon Conway, 2 Tom Latham (wk), 3 Tim Robinson, 4 Nick Kelly, 5 Mitchell Santner (capt), 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Cole McConchie, 8 Josh Clarkson, 9 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Ben Sears, 11 Lockie Ferguson
South Africa: 1 Connor Esterhuizen (wk), 2 Wiaan Mulder, 3 Tony de Zorzi, 4 Rubin Hermann, 5 Jason Smith, 6 Dian Forrester, 7 George Linde, 8 Gerald Coetzee, 9 Keshav Maharaj (capt), 10 Nqobani Mokoena, 11 Ottneil Baartman