Guptill inspires Kiwis to series draw

The World Cup 2015 runner up New Zealand will take on South Africa on Friday in a twenty20 match at Kingsmead in Durban.

New Zealand, however, were able to accelerate towards the end of their innings with Neesham (28 off 19) and Colin Munro (18 from seven) providing some lusty blows to help the visitors post 177 for seven in their 20 overs.

South Africa were in trouble early in their chase and battled to keep up with the rate, managing 145 for eight in reply with spinners Nathan McCullum and Ish Sodhi and quick bowler Mitchell McClenaghan all chipping in with two wickets each for New Zealand.

The in-form opener, Martin Guptill, is seen as vulnerable against bouncers angling in to him, while the captain, Kane Williamson, will be targeted as a batsman who does not pull well.

De Villiers, again captaining South Africa in the absence of an injured Faf du Plessis, said his side were well beaten.

New Zealand’s key batsman Brendon McCullum is not in the squad while Kane Williamson is leading the side.

Grant Elliott followed Guptill in the following over when he was trapped on the front pad by a tossed up delivery from Phangiso, but still, New Zealand did not slow down.

The three-match one-day series between the two teams starts here on Wednesday. Williamson and Martin Guptill have been in good form but the starts were not fully capitalised on by a middle order that’s missing the experience of Taylor.

De Villiers was not his side’s top-scorer but he was their game-changer because he put New Zealand’s plans out with his combination of power hitting and precision placement.

Since his blistering unbeaten 170 off 99 balls against Sri Lanka at Dunedin on January 23, Ronchi’s run return has been lean. Also, South Africa have sent out a strong message by picking 36-year-old Morne Van Wyk who will be keeping wickets and open the batting at the same time.

The conditions are not so familiar with the series, which also includes games at Potchefstroom and Durban, taking place during the South African winter. South Africa have the more experienced bowling lineup, but they will be severely tested in this series. It might even make for some good banter on the field and the New Zealanders will have a better idea of how to stifle the home side’s strategies.

“Credit has to go to the way South Africa bowled”, said Williamson.