Devon Conway reminded everyone why he’s a match-winner with a blistering half-century before New Zealand’s pace attack ripped through South Africa, delivering a comprehensive 68-run victory in the second T20 international at Hamilton’s Seddon Park to square the five-match series at 1-1.
The 34-year-old left-hander’s 60(49) provided the backbone for New Zealand’s competitive 175/6 after being sent in to bat, before the home side’s quicks absolutely dismantled the Proteas, skittling them for a paltry 107 off just 15.3 overs.
Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson were the chief destroyers, each snaring three wickets as South Africa’s innings imploded spectacularly. The tourists never recovered from slumping to 31/3, and when four wickets fell for just three runs late in the chase, the contest was effectively over.
It was the perfect response from the Black Caps after Sunday’s seven-wicket defeat in Mount Maunganui, and Conway’s return to form couldn’t have come at a better time.
Conway’s redemption arc
The South African-born batsman produced easily the most important innings of the match, stroking five boundaries and launching two sixes in a knock that oozed controlled aggression. As wickets tumbled around him, Conway held firm, bringing up his 13th T20I half-century with the kind of composure that separates the good from the great.
For Conway, this innings carried extra weight. Having sat out New Zealand’s entire T20 World Cup campaign earlier this month – a tournament that saw the Black Caps reach the final before falling to hosts India – the frustration of being an unused squad member had been gnawing at him.
“It has been a very quiet couple of months for me, going over to India and not featuring at the World Cup,” Conway admitted.
“It’s been nice to come back and play and be able to contribute for the boys and the group.”
That contribution was immense. In T20 cricket, momentum shifts can happen in the blink of an eye, and Conway’s ability to anchor the innings whilst maintaining a strike rate over 120 gave New Zealand exactly the platform they needed.
Josh Clarkson provided a valuable cameo at the death, racing to 26 not out as New Zealand posted what would prove to be a more than adequate total.
Pace attack proves lethal
If Conway laid the foundation, it was New Zealand’s pace battery that constructed the victory. Sears and Ferguson were absolutely relentless, exploiting conditions perfectly and never allowing South Africa’s batsmen to settle.
The Proteas’ chase was doomed almost from the outset. Crawling to 31/3, they needed a partnership of substance to reignite their hopes, but it never materialised. Instead, the wheels came off spectacularly.
Only George Linde showed any real resistance, top-scoring with 33 to add some respectability to what was otherwise an abject batting display.
Second-string showdown
Both sides are fielding largely second-tier lineups for this series, with first-choice players being rested in the wake of the T20 World Cup. Whilst that might suggest reduced quality, the cricket has been anything but diminished.
This series provides an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claims and for regulars like Conway to rediscover their rhythm.
South Africa made just one change from their victorious outfit in game one, with allrounder Wiaan Mulder replacing the injured Jordan Hermann, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a hamstring complaint.
Mulder justified his inclusion with tidy figures of 2-14, showing the kind of control and variations that make him such a valuable asset in the shortest format. However, his efforts with the ball couldn’t inspire his teammates when it came time to chase.
With the series now locked at 1-1, Friday’s third T20I in Auckland takes on added significance. Both teams will be desperate to claim the advantage heading into the final two matches, and expect the intensity to ratchet up several notches.
