Ahmedabad, February 14 In one of the most anticipated clashes of the group stage, New Zealand relied on a counter-attacking partnership of 74 runs between Mark Chapman (48) and Daryl Mitchell (32) to post 175 for seven against South Africa in their T20 World Cup Group D match here on Saturday.
Playing on a surface that offered pace and bounce, South Africa opted to bowl, and the match lived up to its billing as around 30,000 fans filled the stadium to witness the clash, despite it being a non-India fixture. Both teams were unbeaten going into the match.
New Zealand started aggressively
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Tim Seifert (13 off 9) welcomed Marco Jansen with a six, while Finn Allen took an aggressive approach against Lungi Ngidi, hitting him for a massive straight six and a four in the same over.
The Black Caps reached 33 before Jansen used steep bounce to have Seifert caught behind by Quinton de Kock.
Jansen then shifted the momentum by dismissing Rachin Ravindra (13), caught by David Miller, and soon accounted for the dangerous Allen (31 off 17), who miscued to captain Aiden Markram.
Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj tightened the screws further by dismissing Glenn Phillips (1), reducing New Zealand to 64 for four within seven overs.
Although Ngidi (1/34) and Kagiso Rabada (0/27) extracted good purchase from the surface, they did not fully capitalise. Ngidi, in particular, strayed in line at times, allowing the batters to free their arms.
With the innings threatening to unravel, Chapman and Mitchell rebuilt with composure and controlled aggression. Chapman struck six fours and two sixes in his 48 off 26 balls, keeping the scoreboard moving with calculated risks.
Mitchell (32 off 24) provided stability and momentum, notably smashing a huge six off Markram when the South African captain introduced himself to break the stand. Chapman also dispatched Markram over the ropes as the pair shifted the pressure back on the bowlers.
Just as New Zealand looked set for a late flourish, Jansen returned to deny Chapman a deserved half-century, with Ryan Rickelton completing the catch. Mitchell soon fell to Ngidi, and Mitchell Santner was cheaply dismissed by Corbin Bosch, halting the momentum.
Jansen finished as the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 40, while Bosch delivered a disciplined four-over spell of 1 for 34, maintaining a tight, wicket-to-wicket line. Maharaj chipped in with 1 for 24.
A brisk unbeaten 23 from James Neesham ensured New Zealand closed at 175 for seven.
With dew already setting in, the total could prove slightly under par, as gripping the ball under lights is expected to challenge New Zealand’s bowlers in the chase.
