South Africa beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in first T20

Let’s all be clear about one thing – if there is any insouciance floating around about New Zealand’s whistle-stop tour of South Africa that gets under way with the first of two T20 Internationals at Kingsmead on Friday evening, it is not coming from the players of either side.

A spokesperson from Sky Sports stated that negotiations will proceed and the New Zealand board stated they might talk about the state of affairs with South Africa cricket and are available to a conclusion.

If a spirited Zimbabwe side gave Kane Williamson’s New Zealand a scare in the ODI series, AB de Villiers’s stronger line-up will pose a much bigger challenge. But Guptill did not allow the bowlers to settle as he hit a couple of lusty blows to reach his sixth half-century.

Aaron Phangiso (left) bowled a match-winning figures of 2-29 as South Africa defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first T20I in Durban.

Last time these two teams met in a T20 match was in the T20 world cup group stage match where after an enthralling contest the Proteas came out on top courtesy a brilliant last over from their premier fast bowler Dale Steyn.

South Africa was a world-class side and this was a great opportunity for NZ to learn from playing them in their own backyard. Neesham and Munro were dismissed in consecutive deliveries by Kagiso Rabada and Nathan McCullum successfully managed to negotiate the hattrick ball. “We’ve started to win series away from home on a relatively consisitent basis and that’s a sign we are making progress but we know, based on history South Africa [playing] in South Africa [are] pretty tough so we are going to have to play very well”.

Even though New Zealand got Rossouw and Amla late in the innings after a 59 run partnership in 35 balls, it was a tad too late.

Phangiso was awarded the player of the match for picking key wickets of Williamson and Worker.

Meanwhile, Williamson said he was enjoying his stint as captain. South Africa planned on using AB de Villiers in a new role as opener and keeper, with Hashim Amla as his partner.

Overall the African giants have a better record at home versus the blackcaps as they have won four out of the six T20 encounters played here.

New Zealand new ball pair Doug Bracewell (1-17 off three overs) and Adam Milne (1-23 off 3.5) were sharp, but lacked support.