Hari, Sunny and Mohammed steal the limelight as Spartans get past Cholas
Spartans, put in to bat, made 179 for eight on the back of a 93-run partnership between Hari Nishaanth and Sunny Sandhu (45, 27b, 1x4, 4x6) for the fourth wicket.
In reply, the Cholas' chase went off the rails in the PowerPlay once Sunny removed S. Sujay and Waseem Ahmed. The Trichy side managed only 28 for four in the first six overs, and slumped into deeper trouble at 48 for six.
However, J. Kousik (62, 39b, 5x4, 3x6) and R. Rajkumar (59, 26b, 5x4, 5x6) did not go down without a fight and gave a mighty scare by smashing the Spartans' bowlers all over the park during their 88-run alliance for the seventh wicket off just 41 balls.
The experienced Mohammed eventually struck twice in the 17th over, including that of Rajkumar, to turn the tide again. Kousik, though kept the hopes alive till the end, but his decision not to farm the strike after hitting the first ball of the 20th over to the boundary proved costly as his side fell short by the barest of margins.
Earlier, Hari's innings was all about timing and elegance as he hit some pristine drives down the ground and through covers off the pacers in the PowerPlay to get his side off to a steady start.
After the 10th over, the opener and Sunny (45) stepped up a gear, taking on the spinners who struggled to grip the wet ball following evening rains that caused a 25-minute delay to the start of the game.
Though Cholas pulled things back in the last five, giving just 41 runs, the failure of the top-order proved costly in the end.
The scores: SKM Salem Spartans 179/8 in 20 overs (C. Hari Nishaanth 83, Sunny Sandhu 45, Athisayaraj 3/31) bt Trichy Grand Cholas 172/9 in 20 overs (J. Kousik 62, R. Rajkumar 59, Sunny Sandhu 2/18, Mohammed 4/20).
Toss: Grand Cholas.
Wednesday's match:
Lyca Kovai Kings vs Siechem Madurai Panthers (7.15 p.m.).
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18:46 IST:6.1: Mitchell Santner to Reeza Hendricks, Tossed up on off. Reeza Hendricks drives it to long-off for one. 18:46 IST:Mitchell Santner brings himself into the attack. 18:45 IST:5.6: Matt Henry to Reeza Hendricks, Pace off on back of a length, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks pulls it on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one. South Africa are 46/0 at the end of the Powerplay. 18:44 IST:5.5: Matt Henry to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! BANG! Back of a length, just outside off. Reeza Hendricks picks it early and crunches the pull over deep square leg for a massive hit. 18:44 IST:5.4: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length, angling across the batter. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to pull but this comes off the cue end toward mid-off for a streaky single. 18:43 IST:5.3: Matt Henry to Reeza Hendricks, LEG BYE! Fuller than a length, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks looks to hack it across the line but misses. It comes off the pad toward cover point for a leg bye. 18:42 IST:5.2: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Slower ball on the full, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius shuffles across and drags this toward mid-on for one. 18:42 IST:5.1: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Overpitched, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it very hard, back at Henry who gets his foot in the way and makes the stop. 18:41 IST:4.6: Adam Milne to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lands it on a length, on the middle and leg. Lhuan-dre Pretorius turns it round the corner for a single. 18:40 IST:4.5: Adam Milne to Reeza Hendricks, Pace off on a length, on off. Reeza Hendricks punches this to mid-off for one. 18:39 IST:4.4: Adam Milne to Reeza Hendricks, Keeps it on a length, around the fifth stump. Reeza Hendricks presses forward and knocks it to short cover. 18:39 IST:4.3: Adam Milne to Reeza Hendricks, On a length, angling into the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks looks to tuck but gets the inside edge onto the pad. 18:38 IST:4.2: Adam Milne to Reeza Hendricks, Skiddy length ball, around off. Reeza Hendricks defends it back to the bowler. 18:38 IST:4.1: Adam Milne to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short of a good length, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius dabs it through cover point region and takes one. 18:36 IST:3.6: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! What a shot! Much fuller and on middle, in the slot as well, Reeza Hendricks is not going to miss out on that and tonks it away elegantly over the long on fence for a biggie. 18:36 IST:3.6: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, Tries to follow the batter, serves it full but down the leg side, Reeza Hendricks fails to glance it away. Wided. 18:35 IST:3.5: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Fuller and on off, shaping in, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls behind the stumps. A single taken. 18:35 IST:3.4: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Pitched up and on middle, Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it towards mid on. 18:34 IST:3.3: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length and on middle, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to pull it away but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary. 18:33 IST:3.2: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Another slower delivery, full and on off, keeps very low, Lhuan-dre Pretorius swings but it goes well under his bat. 18:33 IST:3.1: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Slower one, back of a length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to heave it away a bit too hard but misses. 18:32 IST:2.6: Zakary Foulkes to Reeza Hendricks, SIX! BANG! Much better! Fuller in length and just around off, Reeza Hendricks presents the full face of the bat and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie. 18:31 IST:2.5: Zakary Foulkes to Reeza Hendricks, Swing and a miss! Pitched up and on off, shapes in a bit, Reeza Hendricks has a wild swing at it but fails to connect. Yet to get off the mark. 18:30 IST:2.4: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius stays back and looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards short fine for a single. 18:30 IST:2.4: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Short of a length and outside off again, shaping away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius swings but misses. Another wide. 18:30 IST:2.4: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Hits the length hard but way outside off, angling further away, Lhuan-dre Pretorius goes down and winds up for the heave but leaves it alone. Wided. 18:29 IST:2.3: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full again and on middle and leg, Lhuan-dre Pretorius drills it hard but straight to mid on. He is disappointed he failed to put it away. 18:28 IST:2.2: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! Zakary Foulkes comes 'over the wicket, full and on the pads, Lhuan-dre Pretorius picks it up nicely and whips it away wide of deep square leg for a boundary. 18:27 IST:2.1: Zakary Foulkes to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Good length and on off, Lhuan-dre Pretorius steps across and pats it down the pitch. Too many dot balls already. 18:26 IST:1.6: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, BEAUTY! Short of a good length, shapes away and beats Reeza Hendricks all ends up on the defence. 18:26 IST:1.5: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, Good length delivery on the off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks hangs back and dabs it towards point. 18:25 IST:1.4: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, Fuller length delivery on the off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks defends it towards mid-off. 18:25 IST:1.3: Jacob Duffy to Reeza Hendricks, On a length, around off. Reeza Hendricks defends it into covers. 18:24 IST:1.2: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Pitched full, on middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius bunts it toward mid-on for one. 18:24 IST:1.1: Jacob Duffy to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Duffy starts with an excellent delivery. Yorker down the leg stump line, Pretorius gets surprised, he tries to clip it on the leg side but gets it on the back shoe and loses his balance and falls. Appeal from the bowler but it was turned down. 18:23 IST:Jacob Duffy will share the attack. 18:22 IST:0.6: Matt Henry to Reeza Hendricks, Peach! Short of a good length, moves away a touch, and beats the outside edge of Reeza Hendricks. 18:22 IST:0.5: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, On a hard length, on off. Punched toward mid-off for one. 18:21 IST:0.4: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Back of a length, angling across. Lhuan-dre Pretorius mistimes the slap into covers. 18:21 IST:0.3: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full, swings back into the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius flicks it toward deep square leg for a couple. 18:20 IST:0.2: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Full-length delivery, moves away, around off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius looks to drive, gets the outside edge along the ground to short third. 18:19 IST:0.1: Matt Henry to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, FOUR! WHAT A SHOT! On a length, on off. Lhuan-dre Pretorius gets across and punches it through mid-wicket region for a cracking boundary to get off the mark. 18:19 IST:Welcome back. The players and the umpires are back in the middle. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks to open the innings for South Africa. It will be Matt Henry with the ball for New Zealand. Here we go! 18:17 IST:…THE RUN CHASE… 18:17 IST:Right then, South Africa needs 181 to chase this down and claim the Tri-Series Trophy. Can they do it, or will New Zealand come hard with the ball and defend this score to get their hands on the title? We shall find out soon. Join us in a bit for the second essay. 18:16 IST:Lungi Ngidi is up for a chat. He says that the main thing when New Zealand were attacking was to try and keep things simple. Adds that anything pitched up was going for runs, so he changed his length and attacked the stumps to be more effective. Says that he would have taken 180, especially after the start that New Zealand got. Ends by saying that he is fine and there are no issues. 18:15 IST:South Africa did not have the best of starts with the ball, but they did well to come back strong after the halfway mark in the game. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets while Senuran Muthusamy, Kwena Maphaka, and Nandre Burger took one each. South Africa have not been at their best so far with the bat but will need to play well if they are to chase 181 and claim their hands on the trophy. 18:11 IST:A solid batting effort from the Black Caps takes them to an impressive score of 180/5 from the 20 overs. Having been asked to bat first, New Zealand got off to a flying start with Tim Seifert and Devon Conway adding 75 for the opening wicket. Conway and Rachin Ravindra carried on after the dismissal of Tim Seifert, but the wickets of Conway and Ravindra slowed down the momentum and made it hard for New Zealand to find the boundaries. Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell tried hard but had to settle for 180, which at one stage looked like crossing 200. 18:08 IST:19.6: Kwena Maphaka to Daryl Mitchell, A couple to end the innings! Pitched full, at the stumps. Daryl Mitchell lifts it toward the wide long-on region for two runs. New Zealand finish with 180/5. 18:07 IST:19.5: Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Santner, Full and at the stumps. Mitchell Santner drives it past the bowler, down the ground, and settles for one. 18:07 IST:19.4: Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Santner, High full toss on the middle and leg. Mitchell Santner hacks it toward deep square leg for a couple. 18:06 IST:19.4: Kwena Maphaka to Mitchell Santner, WIDE! Full, angling down the leg. Mitchell Santner flicks and misses. Wided. 18:05 IST:19.3: Kwena Maphaka to Michael Bracewell, OUT! EXCELLENT CATCH! Kwena Maphaka gets Bracewell. Full and well outside off. Michael Bracewell tries to get underneath and loft over the infield but it comes off the cue end and to the right of extra cover where George Linde takes a sharp catch. New Zealand are five down. 18:06 IST:Mitchell Santner walks in next. 18:04 IST:19.3: Kwena Maphaka to Daryl Mitchell, TWO WIDES! On a length and angling down the leg. Daryl Mitchell pulls and misses. A half stop by Lhuan-dre Pretorius allows the batter to sneak the extra run with the along with the wide. 18:03 IST:19.2: Kwena Maphaka to Michael Bracewell, A length ball outside off. Michael Bracewell mishits it to long-on for one. 18:03 IST:19.1: Kwena Maphaka to Michael Bracewell, Short of a length well outside the off. Bracewell shuffles across the line and miscues the pull towards deep backward square leg for a couple. 18:03 IST:Kwena Maphaka (3-0-24-0) to bowl the final over. South Africa have been excellent in the past few overs. New Zealand will look to breach 185. 18:01 IST:18.6: Nandre Burger to Michael Bracewell, Very full on middle. Michael Bracewell drives it hard, and Nandre Burger tries to stop it on his follow-through but parries it towards mid-off. A single taken. 18:01 IST:18.5: Nandre Burger to Michael Bracewell, Low full toss on the middle. Michael Bracewell flicks this toward the deep mid-wicket region, and a fumble in the deep allows the double. 18:00 IST:18.4: Nandre Burger to Daryl Mitchell, Slower and shorter outside off. Daryl Mitchell reaches for it and cuts it to deep cover point for one. 17:59 IST:18.3: Nandre Burger to Michael Bracewell, Full, at the stumps. Michael Bracewell digs it out and bunts it to long-on for one. 17:59 IST:18.2: Nandre Burger to Michael Bracewell, Low full toss angled down the leg. Michael Bracewell flicks and misses. Brushes the pad on the way to the keeper. 17:58 IST:18.1: Nandre Burger to Daryl Mitchell, Yorker, on the middle and leg. Daryl Mitchell jams it toward deep mid-on for one. 17:57 IST:17.6: Corbin Bosch to Michael Bracewell, Michael Bracewell misses out on a freebie! Full toss outside off. Michael Bracewell swings and misses. 17:57 IST:17.5: Corbin Bosch to Michael Bracewell, Yorker on off. Michael Bracewell squeezes it through covers and scampers for the double. 17:56 IST:17.4: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, Low full-toss near the off. The batter shuffles across the line and gets the splice of the bat while trying to intent a ramp. He runs for a single. 17:55 IST:17.3: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, Yorker length ball, follows the batter, outside leg stump. Daryl Mitchell makes space and works it toward deep square leg for a couple. 17:55 IST:17.2: Corbin Bosch to Michael Bracewell, Full, sliding down the leg. Michael Bracewell moves across and tries to scoop but gets it off the toe end to the right of the keeper for a single. 17:54 IST:17.1: Corbin Bosch to Michael Bracewell, FOUR! CLEVER BATTING! Low full toss, around off. Michael Bracewell moves across and helps it toward fine leg for a cheeky boundary. 17:52 IST:16.6: Nandre Burger to Michael Bracewell, Pitched full, on off. Michael Bracewell eases this to long-on for one. 17:53 IST:Michael Bracewell walks in at 6. 17:52 IST:16.5: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, OUT! CAUGHT! Nandre Burger gets the big fish! Another low full toss on the middle stump line. Rachin Ravindra hacks it high toward the deep mid-wicket region. Fails to get the elevation or the distance and is caught near the ropes by Dewald Brevis. The umpires want to check for a No Ball here. The front foot looks alright, but the back foot is very close to the return crease. After a few replays, the third umpire deems it is a fair delivery. A fine knock from Ravindra ends now as he walks back for 47. New Zealand are four down. 17:50 IST:16.4: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! FINDS THE GAP! Slower and shorter on off. Rachin Ravindra pulls it toward deep square leg and beats the fielders coming toward it for a cracking shot. 17:49 IST:16.3: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, Low full toss on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra flicks this toward fine leg for a couple. 17:48 IST:16.2: Nandre Burger to Daryl Mitchell, Another full toss, around off. Daryl Mitchell swings hard but miscues it on the bounce to deep cover for a single. 17:47 IST:16.1: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, Low full toss on middle. Rachin Ravindra hits it to long-on for one. 17:46 IST:15.6: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, Full-length delivery around off. Rachin Ravindra drives it hard to deep extra cover for one. 17:45 IST:15.6: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, WIDE! Pitched full, outside the tramline. Rachin Ravindra lets it go. Wide signaled. 17:45 IST:15.5: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, LEG BYE! Yorker length ball outside the leg stump. Daryl Mitchell makes room, and the bowler follows him. Mitchell misses the flick and it comes off the pad toward square leg for a leg bye. 17:44 IST:15.4: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, Low full toss outside off. Rachin Ravindra looks to drive and gets the outside edge to deep third for a single. 17:43 IST:15.3: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, Full again, around off. Drilled to mid-off for just a single. 17:43 IST:15.2: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, FOUR! CHEEKY AND EFFECTIVE! Full-length delivery, around off. Daryl Mitchell sits back and scoops it over the man at short third for a clever boundary. 17:42 IST:15.1: Corbin Bosch to Daryl Mitchell, Yorker, on the leg stump line. Daryl Mitchell looks to work through the on-side but misses and wears on the pad. 17:40 IST:14.6: Kwena Maphaka to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, on off. Daryl Mitchell hits this to long-on for a single. New Zealand are 135/3 with five overs to go. 17:39 IST:14.5: Kwena Maphaka to Rachin Ravindra, Short of a good length, on middle. Rachin Ravindra works it through square leg for a single. 17:39 IST:14.4: Kwena Maphaka to Daryl Mitchell, Banged in short, on off. Daryl Mitchell miscues the pull toward deep mid-wicket and takes one. Lands on the bounce to the fielder. 17:38 IST:14.3: Kwena Maphaka to Rachin Ravindra, Back of a length again, on the middle and leg. Pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single. 17:38 IST:14.3: Kwena Maphaka to Rachin Ravindra, WIDE! Back of a length, slanting down the leg. Rachin Ravindra plays and misses. Wided. 17:37 IST:14.2: Kwena Maphaka to Daryl Mitchell, Slower and shorter outside off. Daryl Mitchell slaps it to deep point for one. 17:36 IST:14.1: Kwena Maphaka to Rachin Ravindra, Back of a length, angled in on off. Rachin Ravindra makes room and dabs it down to deep third for one. 17:35 IST:13.6: Lungi Ngidi to Daryl Mitchell, Pace off, back of a length around off. Daryl Mitchell hops and dabs it toward the backward point. End of a fine spell from Lungi Ngidi. 17:35 IST:13.6: Lungi Ngidi to Daryl Mitchell, WIDE! On a length and well outside off. Daryl Mitchell looks to cut but misses. Wide signaled by the umpire. 17:34 IST:Daryl Mitchell walks in next. 17:34 IST:13.5: Lungi Ngidi to Mark Chapman, CHAPMAN HOLES OUT! SHARP CATCH IN THE DEEP! Another slower ball on the full, on the middle and leg. Mark Chapman advances down the pitch and miscues it high toward the deep mid-wicket region. Rubin Hermann there keeps his eye on the ball and takes it nicely above his head, close to the ropes. The poor run of form continues for Chapman. New Zealand lose their third. 17:32 IST:13.4: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, LEG BYE! Slower bumper, on off. Rachin Ravindra is early into the pull shot and gets a blow on the helmet. A mandatory concussion check for Ravindra, and he is fine. The ball rolls into the on-side and they take a leg bye. 17:30 IST:13.3: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Short of a length and angling down the leg. Rachin Ravindra helps it to fine leg for a boundary. 17:30 IST:13.2: Lungi Ngidi to Mark Chapman, Pitched full, on off. Mark Chapman strokes it back to the bowler, who gets a boot on the way and ricochets it toward mid-wicket for a single. 17:29 IST:13.1: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, Slower ball on a length, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra shimmies down and mistimes the hack toward deep mid-wicket for one. 17:28 IST:12.6: Senuran Muthusamy to Rachin Ravindra, Shortish and outside off. Rachin Ravindra slaps this to long-off for one. 17:27 IST:12.5: Senuran Muthusamy to Rachin Ravindra, SIX MORE! UP AND OVER! Floated full, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra sits on his knee and slogs it hard, clears the man at deep square leg for a thumping hit. 17:27 IST:12.4: Senuran Muthusamy to Mark Chapman, Too full, on the leg. Mark Chapman sweeps this to deep backward square leg for a single. 17:26 IST:12.3: Senuran Muthusamy to Mark Chapman, Flighted full, on the midlde. Mark Chapman turns it to short mid-wicket. 17:26 IST:12.2: Senuran Muthusamy to Rachin Ravindra, Flatter and quicker outside off. Rachin Ravindra cuts this to deep cover point for one. 17:25 IST:12.1: Senuran Muthusamy to Rachin Ravindra, SIX! CLUBBED! Tossed up full, on middle. Rachin Ravindra shimmies down, gets to the pitch of the ball, and smokes it over the cow corner fence for half a dozen. 17:24 IST:11.6: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, Short of a good length on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. 17:23 IST:11.5: Lungi Ngidi to Mark Chapman, On a length, on middle. Mark Chapman knocks it toward wide mid-on for one. 17:23 IST:11.4: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, Slower ball on the full, on the middle and leg. Ravindra clips it toward square leg and takes one. 17:22 IST:11.3: Lungi Ngidi to Mark Chapman, LEG BYE! Back of a length on the hip. Tucked off the pad into the leg side for a leg bye. 17:22 IST:Mark Chapman walks in at 4. 17:21 IST:11.2: Lungi Ngidi to Devon Conway, OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! Lungi Ngidi removes the well-set Conway! Back-of-a-length delivery, around the left shoulder. Devon Conway looks to hook it over fine leg but gets the top edge off some extra bounce and miscues toward short fine leg, where Nandre Burger takes a simple catch. New Zealand lose their second. 17:19 IST:11.1: Lungi Ngidi to Rachin Ravindra, Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Ravindra flicks this to deep square leg for one. 17:18 IST:10.6: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, FOUR! GETS THE PROPER CONNECTION NOW! Good length delivery on the middle. Devon Conway moves across and ramps it over the keeper for a clever boundary. 100 up for New Zealand! 17:18 IST:10.5: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, OUCH! Pitched full, outside off. Devon Conway moves across to the scoop but gets it off the cue end onto the side of the helmet, rolls toward the short third region. A part of the helmet comes off, and the physio is out in the middle to get the concussion check done. He looks fine, though, and will continue. 17:16 IST:10.4: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, FOUR! SUPERB TIMING! Fuller than a good length, on the middle. Devon Conway shimmies down and steers it through the backward point region for a nicely played boundary. 17:15 IST:10.3: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, On a length, around off. Rachin Ravindra dabs it down to deep third for a single. 17:15 IST:10.2: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Pitched full, on the middle and leg. Rachin Ravindra flicks it wristily toward the wide of long on region for a cracking boundary. 17:14 IST:10.1: Nandre Burger to Rachin Ravindra, In the air and lands safe! Full and outside off. Rachin Ravindra goes hard for the drive but ends up slicing aerially toward the deep backward point region for a couple. 17:14 IST:Nandre Burger (1-0-11-0) is back into the attack. 17:13 IST:9.6: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, Another fuller one, on leg, Rachin Ravindra fails to work it away as the ball goes off his pads towards mid-wicket. A leg bye taken. 17:12 IST:9.5: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Rachin Ravindra misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. 17:11 IST:9.4: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, FOUR! Easy pickings! Back of a length but angling down the leg side, there to be put away. Rachin Ravindra does not miss out and just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 17:11 IST:9.3: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, Change of pace, on a length and on off, Devon Conway runs it down to third man for another run. 17:10 IST:9.2: Corbin Bosch to Rachin Ravindra, Full again and on middle and leg, Rachin Ravindra tucks it through mid-wicket for a run. 17:09 IST:9.1: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, Fuller and on off, Devon Conway drives it to mid off for a single. 17:09 IST:8.6: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Another shorter one, on off, Devon Conway punches it to sweeper covers for one. 17:08 IST:8.5: Senuran Muthusamy to Rachin Ravindra, Short and around off, Rachin Ravindra steers it through point for a run. 17:10 IST:Rachin Ravindra walks out to bat at number 3. 17:07 IST:8.4: Senuran Muthusamy to Tim Seifert, OUT! ABSOLUTE STUNNER! South Africa is known for their fielding and the skipper has produced something special here to get the breakthrough for his side. Senuran Muthusamy flights it up, full and outside off, Tim Seifert uses his feet to loft it over covers, but has to reach out for it a bit and loses his bottom hand. Ends up hitting it much flatter, and Rassie van der Dussen at short covers leaps up to his left and takes a brilliant catch with both hands. Seifert goes for 30 off 28, and New Zealand are 75/1! 17:05 IST:8.3: Senuran Muthusamy to Tim Seifert, Close! Flatter, short and around off, Tim Seifert looks to cut it away but gets a bottom edge that just goes past the off pole. 17:05 IST:8.2: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Floated, full and around off, Devon Conway drills it towards sweeper covers for a single. 17:04 IST:8.1: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, SIX! Going, going, gone! Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Devon Conway skips down the track to get closer to the pitch of the ball and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 17:02 IST:7.6: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, Pitched up and on leg, Devon Conway clips it through square leg for one more. 13 runs off the over! 17:02 IST:7.5: Corbin Bosch to Tim Seifert, Fuller and on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers for one. 17:01 IST:7.4: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, On a length and on leg, Devon Conway pats it towards mid on for a single. 17:01 IST:7.3: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, FOUR! Fantastic shot! Short of a length and outside off again, Devon Conway gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through point for a boundary. 17:00 IST:7.2: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway uses his feet and punches it wide of deep point for a brace. This is now the highest opening stand in this Tri Series. 17:00 IST:7.1: Corbin Bosch to Devon Conway, FOUR! Gets greeted with a boundary! Fuller and well outside off, Devon Conway accepts the width on offer and lifts it beautfully over extra covers for a boundary. 17:00 IST:Corbin Bosch replaces Kwena Maphaka 16:58 IST:6.6: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Short and on leg, Devon Conway nudges it through mid-wicket for one. 16:58 IST:6.5: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Stumping Slows it up, full and on middle and leg, turns away, Devon Conway backs away to tuck it but gets beaten on the flight. He loses his balance too, but Lhuan-dre Pretorius fails to collect it cleanly and the chance goes begging. 16:58 IST:6.4: Senuran Muthusamy to Tim Seifert, Tossed up, full and on off, Tim Seifert scythes it to long off for one. 16:57 IST:6.3: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Flighted, full and on leg, Devon Conway drills it to long on for a single. 16:56 IST:6.2: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Floated, short and on middle and off, Devon Conway moves back and stabs it to short covers. 16:56 IST:6.1: Senuran Muthusamy to Devon Conway, Fires in a yorker, on off, Devon Conway digs it out to the off side. 16:56 IST:Senuran Muthusamy comes into the attack now. 16:55 IST:5.6: Kwena Maphaka to Devon Conway, Pitched up and on middle, Devon Conway knocks it towards mid on. New Zealand are 52 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay! 16:54 IST:5.5: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, Hard length and around off, Tim Seifert drags it towards mid on and sets off for the run. The fielder fails to pick it up cleanly or else there could have been a chance of a run out. 16:54 IST:5.4: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, Bangs in a bouncer, on middle and leg, Tim Seifert looks to hook it away but fails to connect. 16:53 IST:5.3: Kwena Maphaka to Devon Conway, Back of a length and on off, Devon Conway waits for it and steers it wide of short third. Lungi Ngidi moves to his right and dives to make a great stop. saves three for his team. Also, 50 up for New Zealand! 16:53 IST:5.2: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, Short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert cuts it to deep poiint for a single. 16:52 IST:5.1: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, SIX! That is some shot! Fuller one and around off, Tim Seifert gets across early to get inside the line of the ball. He plays the no-look scoop as the ball sails over the fine leg fence for a biggie. 16:51 IST:4.6: George Linde to Tim Seifert, Quicker, full and on leg, Tim Seifert knocks it towards mid on and scampers across for one. 16:50 IST:4.5: George Linde to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Straight as an arrow! This is another short delivery, on middle, Tim Seifert picks up the length early, moves back and swats it right over the bowler's head for another boundary. 16:50 IST:4.4: George Linde to Tim Seifert, Flatter, short and on off, Tim Seifert stabs it out towards short covers. 16:49 IST:4.3: George Linde to Tim Seifert, FOUR! Nicely played! Drags his length back and around off, Tim Seifert uses the depth of the crease to back away and slaps it over extra covers for a boundary. 16:49 IST:4.2: George Linde to Tim Seifert, Fires one full and on leg, Tim Seifert looks to go for the lofted shot but gets an inside edge towards square leg. 16:48 IST:4.1: George Linde to Tim Seifert, Floated, full and around off, Tim Seifert heaves it towards mid-wicket. 16:48 IST:Time for some spin now as George Linde comes into the attack. 16:47 IST:3.6: Kwena Maphaka to Devon Conway, Pitched up and on middle and leg, Devon Conway misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down. 16:46 IST:3.5: Kwena Maphaka to Devon Conway, FOUR! Gets it away! Short again and outside off, Devon Conway slashes hard at it and gets a thick outside edge. The fielder at short third thinks he is in the game but this flies well over him for a boundary. 16:46 IST:3.4: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, In the Slower one, full and on off, Tim Seifert goes after it but loses his bottom hand and mistimes it in the air. The fielder at deep point runs forward but the ball lands just in front of him. They cross. 16:45 IST:3.3: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, Excellent bowling! Short of a length and on middle, takes off viciously. Tim Seifert looks to cut but gets beaten all ends up. 16:44 IST:3.2: Kwena Maphaka to Devon Conway, Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway cuts it through point for a run. 16:44 IST:3.1: Kwena Maphaka to Tim Seifert, Fuller and outside off, Tim Seifert opens the face of his bat and squeezes it out to deep point for a single. 16:43 IST:2.6: Lungi Ngidi to Devon Conway, FOUR! Up and over! Goes a bit too full and outside off, slower too, Devon Conway gets the chance to free his arms and smacks it over extra covers for a boundary. 16:42 IST:2.5: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Takes pace off again, pitched up and on middle, Tim Seifert uses his feet and drags it wide of mid on for another run. 16:42 IST:2.4: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Extra bounce! Lungi Ngidi bangs this one into the pitch and puts in the extra effort on this one, around off, takes off a bit. Tim Seifert slashes at it but gets beaten by the bounce. 16:41 IST:2.3: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, A slower one now, full and on off, Tim Seifert goes through the drive early and gets it from the toe-end of the bat towards short mid-wicket. 16:40 IST:2.2: Lungi Ngidi to Devon Conway, Lungi Ngidi sees the batter back away and lands this on a hard length, on middle, angling in. Devon Conway looks to go over covers but gets an inside edge onto his thigh pads as the ball rolls to the off side. They cross. 16:39 IST:2.1: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Fuller and angling into the pads, Tim Seifert clips it through square leg for a single. 16:38 IST:1.6: Nandre Burger to Tim Seifert, Hits the length hard, on off, Tim Seifert rides the bounce and pats it wide of mid off for one. 11 runs off the over! 16:38 IST:1.6: Nandre Burger to Tim Seifert, Nandre Burger is struggling with his line a bit here! He goes on a length but down the leg side again, Tim Seifert fails to glance it away. Third wide of the over. 16:37 IST:1.5: Nandre Burger to Tim Seifert, Full again and on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers. 16:37 IST:1.4: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, Overpitched and on off, Devon Conway drills it to sweeper covers for another run. 16:36 IST:1.3: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, Beaten! Goes fuller and around off, shaping away, Devon Conway gets drawn forward into the drive but gets beaten on the outside edge. 16:35 IST:1.2: Nandre Burger to Tim Seifert, Hard length and outside off, Tim Seifert guides it off the outer half of the bat through point for a run. 16:35 IST:1.2: Nandre Burger to Tim Seifert, Touch slower and full but down the leg, Tim Seifert misses his flick. Wided. 16:34 IST:1.1: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, Back of a length and around off, Devon Conway uses his feet and punches it through cover-point for a single. 16:34 IST:1.1: Nandre Burger to Devon Conway, FIVE WIDES! Not the ideal start! Nandre Burger loses his line completely and begins with a hard-length delivery, but way down the leg side. It moves further in. Devon Conway is nowhere near the ball and the keeper also had no chance of stopping that as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 16:36 IST:Nandre Burger to share the attack. 16:33 IST:0.6: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, FOUR! First one of the final! Just short of a length and outside off, Tim Seifert gets on top of the bounce and punches it with sweet timing through covers for a boundary. 8 runs off the first over! 16:32 IST:0.5: Lungi Ngidi to Devon Conway, Good length and on midlde, angling in, Devon Conway looks to play at it but misses and gets hit on the back pad as the ball rolls towards point. Another leg bye taken. 16:31 IST:0.4: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Back of a length and angling into the body of the batter, Tim Seifert fails to glance it away as the ball goes off his thigh pads towards short fine. There is a bit of hesitation but the batters take the leg bye. 16:30 IST:0.3: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Hits the length hard, on off, nips back in, Tim Seifert covers the line of the ball and blocks it out. 16:30 IST:0.2: Lungi Ngidi to Devon Conway, Pitched up and on off, Devon Conway drives it towards mid off for a run and gets off the mark. 16:29 IST:0.1: Lungi Ngidi to Tim Seifert, Lungi Ngidi starts with a fuller delivery, on off, Tim Seifert pushes it towards covers for a single. New Zealand are underway in the final! 16:30 IST:Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the South African players in a huddle before they spread out to take their respective field positions. Tim Seifert and Devon Conway are the two openers for New Zealand. Lungi Ngidi has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play... 16:24 IST:The teams and match officials have lined up for the national anthems. We start with the anthem of New Zealand, followed by that of South Africa. Live action is coming shortly. 16:20 IST:George Linde is up for a chat. He says that so far, he has batted well in the series and is happy to chip in with the ball and feels confident. Shares that they always find a way to come out better when under pressure. Closes by sharing that they have got the best team for the condition and is looking for to the final. 16:17 IST:Pitch Report - Ed Rainsford is at the pitchside. He says that this particular pitch has had ten days of rest, and it looks like a good one, the cracks are evident as they had to manage the water content. Adds that it looks like a belter, has a mosaic look to it, and there's some live grass too, which should aid true bounce and allow the ball to come nicely onto the bat. Closes by sharing that it is a belter of a track and tailor-made for a high-quality final. 16:15 IST:Mitchell Santner, the skipper of New Zealand, says that it looks like a good track, and they have to see what it does with the new ball and take it from there. Adds that it looks like one of the best wickets in the tournament. Shares that they have played well and but today is the final and they have to bank on the experiences of playing on this kind of pitch. Closes by adding that they have four changes with Tim Robinson, Bevon Jacobs, Ish Sodhi, and Will O'Rourke missing out. 16:12 IST:Rassie van der Dussen, the skipper of South Africa, wins the toss and opts to bowl. He says that bowling first looks like a good option as the pitch is dry and the wicket won't change much. Adds that they are going with three quicks and two spinners. Shares that they haven't put in a complete performance and looks to play well through the 40 overs as the trophy is up for grabs. 16:09 IST:South Africa (Playing XI) - Reeza Hendricks, Lhuan-dre Pretorius(WK), Rassie van der Dussen(C), Rubin Hermann, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch (in for Andile Simelane), Senuran Muthusamy, Nandre Burger (in for Gerald Coetzee), Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi (in for Nqabayomzi Peter). 16:07 IST:New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert(WK), Devon Conway (in for Tim Robinson), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell (in for Bevon Jacobs), Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(C), Zakary Foulkes, Adam Milne (in for Ish Sodhi), Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy (in for Will O'Rourke). 16:03 IST:Toss Update - South Africa have won the toss and opted to BOWL.
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- The Hindu
New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi relishing T20 PowerPlay challenge
Ish Sodhi is enjoying the challenge of bowling in the PowerPlay overs in Twenty20 Internationals, the New Zealand spinner said after registering a career-best 4-12 against Zimbabwe in the ongoing Tri-Series in Harare on Thursday. The 32-year-old became the second New Zealand bowler, after Tim Southee (164), to claim 150 wickets in T20 Internationals as his team registered its fourth consecutive win in a tournament also involving South Africa. 'Well, that's pretty nice to be able to achieve that milestone and contribute to the win,' player-of-the-match Sodhi said afterwards. Sodhi claimed three of his four wickets in the first six PowerPlay overs when batters tend to take advantage of fewer fielders outside the circle and bat aggressively. 'It's quite a new role for me,' the leg-spinner said. 'I had not bowled in the PowerPlays a lot. This is a really strong New Zealand side nowadays, so to try and get into the side, you have to learn to be able to bowl in the PowerPlay. Getting some wickets is quite pleasing. It shows, I suppose, that I can do it and it's something I want to keep doing.' New Zealand will take on South Africa in Saturday's final in Harare. It will stay back for a two-Test series against host Zimbabwe. Batting all-rounder Michael Bracewell will replace the injured Glenn Phillips for the first Test in Bulawayo, New Zealand Cricket said on Friday. 'Glenn's injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement,' said New Zealand coach Rob Walter. 'Michael's experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team. Given he's here with the T20 squad and his availability aligned for the first Test, we're using the opportunity to include him in the squad.' Phillips was ruled out of the Zimbabwe tour with a groin injury suffered in the Major League Cricket in the United States earlier this month.
