New Zealand opened their T20I Tri-Series campaign with a composed 21-run win over South Africa at Harare Sports Club, thanks to superb performances from Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, and a remarkable lower-order rescue act with the bat.
Chasing 174, South Africa crumbled to 62 for 5 inside nine overs after Henry’s incisive new-ball spell (3/34) rattled their top order. The Proteas briefly revived their hopes through Dewald Brevis (35) and George Linde (30), but the damage was already done. Duffy (3/20) then delivered at the death, sealing the win in the 18th over with two wickets in two balls.
It was a great team performance. The Proteas put us under pressure in the powerplay but to get to 170 was good. We were thinking maybe 150–160 was the score we’d get. Taking wickets throughout helped us in the second innings.
Earlier, the BlackCaps were in disarray at 70 for 5 when Tim Robinson (75 not out) and debutant Bevon Jacobs (44 not out) combined for a record-breaking, unbroken 103-run stand for the sixth wicket — New Zealand’s second highest in T20I history.
Robinson showcased composure and power, striking three sixes off Gerald Coetzee, including a spectacular uppercut over backward point, while Jacobs rotated strike cleverly to blunt South Africa’s attack.
South Africa’s bowlers had initially dominated, with Kwena Maphaka (2/38), Coetzee, and Corbin Bosch picking up wickets regularly. But Robinson and Jacobs’ counterattack wrested back the momentum.
Our bowlers did their part, but we couldn’t get it together with the bat. It’s not a good batting performance but it’s not the end of the world. We’ll keep trying till we get it right.
In reply, South Africa’s chase started brightly through Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed five boundaries in a 17-ball 27. However, Henry’s bounce and movement soon undid him, with Pretorius edging behind in the fourth over. Wickets continued to tumble, including the crucial run-out of van der Dussen for 6, a sharp piece of fielding involving Tom Seifert and Santner.
Linde and Coetzee added 37 runs for the eighth wicket to raise faint hopes of a late twist. But with 31 required off 18 balls, Duffy had Linde mistiming a pull to deep midwicket before dismissing Coetzee next ball, ending the contest emphatically.
Despite several senior players unavailable due to Major League Cricket commitments, New Zealand’s depth shone through. The victory marked a successful start to Rob Walter’s tenure as head coach—ironically against the side he once coached.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 173/5 (Tim Robinson 75*, Bevon Jacobs 44*, Kwena Maphaka 2/38) beat South Arica 152 all out in 18.2 overs (Dewald Brevis 35, George Linde 30; Jacob Duffy 3/20, Matt Henry 3/34) by 21 runs.
