FIVE-STAR TAHIR
TAHIR LEAVES NEW ZEALAND’S BATSMEN BAFFLED AT EDEN PARK Phehlukwayo chips in with three wickets as SA coast to victory.
Proteas spinner Imran Tahir is in sublime form as he claims five wickets to dismantle the New Zealand batting line-up in the one-off T20 international at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. The Proteas won by 78 runs.
Leg-spinner Imran Tahir justified his position as the No 1 bowler in whiteball cricket with an inspired display in South Africa’s 78-run win over New Zealand in their one-off Twenty20 international at Eden Park yesterday.
Tahir, who took two wickets in two balls in his second over, had his figures marginally sullied by successive sixes from Colin de Grandhomme but still finished with a career-best 5/24 in 3.5 overs, with the home batsmen unable to pick his googly.
The 37-year-old was able to build on a superb performance by opening bowler Chris Morris, who was also denied a hat-trick on his way to figures of 2/10 in his initial three-over spell.
Andile Phehlukwayo claimed three victims, including the vital wicket of captain Kane Williamson, as the hosts were dismissed for 107 in 14.5 overs in pursuit of South Africa’s 185/6.
“We played some good cricket,” said Proteas captain Faf du Plessis. “We were consistent with the bat on a wicket that bounced.
“We have had six or seven months that have been amazing. We are confident but we know that we have to rock up every day and perform.”
The loss was New Zealand’s first at home this summer.
“They played well in all departments. Frustrating from our perspective, we didn’t fire a shot,” Williamson told reporters.
“On this ground, you don’t know what a good score is. We pulled it back (when bowling) and probably gave ourselves a par target. But rotating strike is hard on drop-in surfaces.”
The South African top order also underlined how dangerous they would be in the five-match one-day series that starts at Seddon Park in Hamilton tomorrow with nearly all of them making telling contributions. While Quinton de Kock fell for a duck in the third over, Hashim Amla (62), Du Plessis (36), AB de Villiers (26) and JP Duminy (29) all scored quickly.
Amla hit nine fours and a six in his 43-ball innings and combined with Du Plessis in an 87-run part- nership as the visitors looked well set to score in excess of 200.
De Grandhomme, however, dismissed both Du Plessis and De Villiers to leave their side on 145/4 in the 16th over, ensuring the all-rounders needed to push the innings on.
New Zealand bowler Trent Boult took 2/8 off four overs. –
5/19 –
Ryan McLaren v WI (Antigua, 2010) David Wiese v WI (Durban, 2015) Imran Tahir v NZ (Auckland, 2017) Dale Steyn v WI (PE, 2007) Wayne Parnell v WI (The Oval, 2009)
5/23 – 5/24 – 4/9 – 4/13 –