New Zealand Opts to Bowl First in Decisive T20 vs. South Africa
Christchurch hosted the fifth and deciding Twenty20 at Hagley Oval on Wednesday. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl.
Match context
The series arrived level at two wins each. New Zealand opts to bowl first in this decisive T20 against South Africa.
Previous results produced low scores and tight finishes. South Africa took the opener by seven wickets.
New Zealand responded by winning the second match by 68 runs. They then secured the third by eight wickets.
South Africa claimed the fourth match by 19 runs to force the decider. Both sides named unchanged lineups for the first time this series.
Key selection note
South Africa retained spinner Prenelan Subrayen. He impressed on debut in Wellington last Sunday.
Jimmy Neesham led New Zealand as captain. Keshav Maharaj served as South Africa’s captain.
Teams
New Zealand
- Tim Robinson
- Katene Clarke
- Dane Cleaver
- Nick Kelly
- Bevon Jacobs
- Jimmy Neesham (captain)
- Cole McConchie
- Josh Clarkson
- Zak Foukes
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ben Sears
South Africa
- Tony de Zorzi
- Wiaan Mulder
- Connor Esterhuizen
- Rubin Hermann
- Dian Forrester
- Jason Smith
- George Linde
- Gerald Coetzee
- Keshav Maharaj (captain)
- Prenelan Subrayen
- Ottneil Baartman
Report compiled for Filmogaz.com. The toss decision set the tone for a high-stakes final match.
