South Africa clinch Twenty20 series

Edge past New Zealand in final match by 3 runs.

AUCKLAND: South Africa battled to a thrilling three-run win over New Zealand to claim the Twenty20 series 2-1 after the Black Caps suffered a dramatic batting collapse in Auckland.

New Zealand restricted South Africa to 165 for seven and went into the last two overs needing just 10 for victory, only to fall short after losing three wickets, including noughts for Nathan McCullum and Doug Bracewell.

It was a disappointing end for New Zealand after Jesse Ryder marked his return from injury with 52 and openers Rob Nicol (33) and Martin Guptill (26) started their run chase brightly. But the result was also testament to South Africa’s never-say-die attitude after man-of-the match Johan Botha picked up the crucial wickets of Guptill and Ryder to swing the match their way.

“It was an amazing team effort, I’m really proud of the men,” said captain AB de Villiers. “We hung on at the end there.”

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said his side was unable to handle pressure.

“South Africa put us under pressure and they held their nerve,” said Brendon. “We just weren’t good enough at the end there, we faltered.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 23^rd, 2012.