Kolkata, March 4 New Zealand spinners put on an impressive performance before Marco Jansen's aggressive counter-attack took South Africa to a respectable 169 for 8 in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.
On a pitch where scoring runs appeared to be a slightly challenging task, off-spinner Cole McConchie (2/9 in 1 over) and left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra (2/29 in 4 overs) delivered a memorable performance against South Africa's star-studded top order, which ultimately paid for its collective carelessness.
Ultimately, it was left to Jansen (54 not out, 30 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (29 off 24 balls) to stage a comeback and give the bowling unit a semblance of a chance to fight in the second half of the match.
The duo added 73 runs for the sixth wicket after South Africa had been reduced to 77 for 5 at the halfway mark.
As the innings progressed, the dew factor came into play, and suddenly the pitch, where the ball seemed to grip, started to skid, making stroke-play easier than before.
Jansen, who is proving to be one of the best all-rounders playing the game currently, smashed five sixes, and most of them landed at least 10-15 rows into the stands, in what seemed like a perfect combination of power and timing.
The two sixes off Lockie Ferguson in the penultimate over would certainly boost the confidence of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
Having opted to bowl, Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner handed the ball to off-spinner McConchie for the second over, which was his only over in the game, but he made a significant contribution by removing Quinton de Kock (10) and Ryan Rickleton (0) off successive deliveries.
In the case of De Kock, McConchie shortened the length and induced him to go for a slog that didn't even cross the 30-yard circle. In the case of Rickleton, he flighted the ball outside the off-stump and turned it away from the batter, who didn't transfer his body weight while trying to cut it.
Dewald Brevis (34 off 27 balls) looked in excellent form as he stroked the ball well before being dismissed by James Neesham.
Ravindra once again made a significant contribution. First, Aiden Markram (18) was caught out in the deep, and David Miller (6) also played a poor aerial shot.
Once Brevis was caught at covers by Santner off a Neesham pace-off delivery, New Zealand seemed in complete control at 77 for 5.
However, Jansen and Stubbs had other ideas during their 73-run stand. South Africa lost a few crucial wickets in the final two overs and failed to cross the 175-run mark.
