Conway and pace duo dismantle South Africa as New Zealand level T20I series
New Zealand needed a response after being bowled out for 91 and losing the first T20I by seven wickets in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. They got one in emphatic fashion on Tuesday in Hamilton, rolling South Africa for 107 to win by 68 runs and bring the series back to level terms.
Conway anchors the innings after shaky start
South Africa won the toss and sent New Zealand in on a surface that offered early assistance. The call looked shrewd when the hosts stuttered early, but Conway steadied things with a measured knock of 60 from 49 deliveries. He found useful support from Nick Kelly, who cracked 21 off 12 balls, and captain Mitchell Santner, who contributed 20 from 14.
The real fireworks came at the death. Josh Clarkson smashed an unbeaten 26 from just nine deliveries to push the total to 175 for six, a score that looked well above par given the conditions. Wiaan Mulder was South Africa's best with the ball, finishing with 2 for 14.
Ferguson and Sears rip through Proteas top order
If the pitch was tricky for batting in the first innings, it became a minefield when New Zealand's quicks got hold of the new ball. Ferguson bowled with real venom, taking 3 for 16, while Sears matched him with 3 for 14. Between them, they reduced the chase to rubble before it ever got started.
George Linde hit a breezy 33 off 12 balls to briefly threaten a fightback, but it was too little, too late. Santner chipped in with 2 for 19 as South Africa were cleaned up for 107 in 15.3 overs. Cole McConchie (1/24) and James Neesham (1/10) mopped up the lower order.
Series heads to Auckland at 1-1
Conway picked up the Player of the Match award for his innings, which gave New Zealand the platform to post a competitive total on a difficult surface. The third match moves to Auckland, where both sides will feel they have momentum to grab.
For South Africa, the collapse will sting. After completely dominating in Mount Maunganui, they looked flat with bat and ball. The tourists need to find answers in their middle order, which has now failed to fire in both matches for different reasons.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will feel their pace attack can trouble any lineup when the conditions are right. Ferguson, in particular, looks in the kind of form that could define this series.
