JP Duminy’s brilliant half-century and pace bowler Dale Steyn’s superlative effort with the ball proved to be deciding factors as South Africa registered a thrilling two-run win over New Zealand at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Monday. Duminy scored 86 runs to help the Proteas post a challenging 170-6 before Steyn offered a brilliant display of fast bowling to restrict the Kiwis to 168-8 and put in vain Ross Taylor’s fighting 62 runs and the maiden half-century of Kane Williamson (51).
Requiring seven runs from the last over with five wickets in hand, it was all but certain that the Kiwis were preparing for a late night party before Steyn spoiled their plans, giving away only four runs in an over that produced three wickets.
Steyn gunned down the opponents through his sheer pace, leaving Taylor stranded at the other end as he picked up two wickets, and when the batsman eventually succeeded in taking the strike, New Zealand required three runs from the last ball.
Earlier, New Zealand bowlers responded to the call of their skipper Brendon McCullum when they removed opener Quinton de Kock (4) to break the opening partnership between him and Amla.
De Kock went for a wild cross-batted stroke to get a thin edge, gladly accepted by the wicketkeeper. South African skipper Faf du Plessis (13), who came into the match after recovering from a hamstring injury, could not last very long.
He was soon followed by AB de Villiers, leaving South Africa struggling at 42-3 before Amla and Duminy revived the innings by putting on 55 runs for the fourth wicket before Amla departed in a bizarre manner after making a painstaking 41 from 40 balls.
Amla, who is regarded as one of the most technically-sound batsmen of his generation, failed to come up with the required mind-set to play some adventurous shots, while off-spinner Nathan McCullum stalled the run rate in the middle overs, picking up 1-24 to complete his four overs at a stretch.
Amla’s innings came to an end when he swatted a Corey Anderson delivery powerfully back towards the bowler. The ball hit non-striker Duminy’s bat to eventually turn into a simple catch for the bowler.
Duminy paced his innings to near-perfection, striking 10 boundaries and three sixes during his stay at the crease and making a 43-ball 86 runs to help the Proteas post 170-6.
His masterful craftsmanship helped them during the death, as runs came in torrent at the end, with the last six overs yielding 73 runs.
New Zealand in reply were cruising to victory on the back of Williamson’s 51, along with Taylor’s effort, before everything was turned upside down by Steyn, who completed the day with 4-17. Imran Tahir picked 2-27.
BRIEF SCORES
South Africa 170-6 in 20 overs (JP Duminy 86 not out, H Amla 41; C Anderson 2-28, T Southee 2-46) v New Zealand 168-8 in 20 overs (R Taylor 62, K Williamson 51; D Steyn 4-17,
I Tahir -2-27).
Result: South Africa won by 2 runs.
Man of the match: JP Duminy (SA)
-With New Age input
