South African skipper Aiden Markram, through a jaw-dropping display of stroke-play, led the way, tearing New Zealand to shreds inside the powerplay as he powered his side to a seven-wicket win in the ICC T20 World Cup match in Ahmedabad on Saturday night.
The Markram-led unit now remain unbeaten in the tournament and sit atop the Group D table.
“Important that we got on the right side of the toss. Ball came on nicely in the second innings. Boys put up a strong effort to restrict them to that score. You have to try and back the skills you are good at. (On NZ’s opening pair) Very dangerous and intimidating, but the boys were solid with their plans tonight. (On Jansen) Very different left-arm (bowler), bowls different types of deliveries. He has been bowling well but did not have the numbers to show for it,” Markram said.
About his batting, he said: “It is nice. Ultimately, it is trying to get the team off to a good start. We have a nice and experienced batting order. Up front, you have seen how teams are taking off in the powerplay. Might not come off always but when it does, you can get ahead of the game.”
Markram won the toss and elected to field in their Group D clash and with Marco Jansen spearheading the attack, South Africa held an in-form New Zealand to 175/7. While the Kiwi openers Finn Allen and Tim Seifert gave the team a brisk start, they lost early wickets to end powerplay at 58/3.
It looked like New Zealand were setting themselves up for a big score when Daryl Mitchell (32) and Mark Chapman (48) built a 74-run stand. But South African pace duo of Lungi Ngidi and Jansen struck again, dismissing the two dangermen to steer their team back on track. Jansen was the wrecker in chief, providing his team with crucial breakthroughs to claim 4/40.
“We know it is a good wicket. (Their) Opening batters show great intent, so we knew we had to pick wickets up front. Slower balls into the wicket worked well and obviously the yorkers. Bowling in the powerplay and at the death is not easy. You take it as it comes. You try and adapt and try and make the most of it. The bowlers did well. Our seamers complement each other well. With the plans we had, it was very good and we executed well. Lot of guys who play in the IPL, so a lot of knowledge. Treating every game as it comes, seeing who we are playing against and taking it from there,” said Jansen, who was named the Man of the Match.
In the chase, South Africa got off to the perfect start thanks to Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock.
Markram led the charge for the Proteas with a blistering 86 not out off just 44 deliveries, while de Kock chipped in with 20 off 14 before being dismissed by a superb delivery from Lockie Ferguson.
South Africa surged to 101/1 in just 7.1 overs with Markram holding fort at one end with the other batters – Ryan Rickelton (21 off 11), Dewald Brevis (21 off 17) and David Miller (24 not out off 17) chipping in with useful contributions.
“Wickets in the powerplay is always key. Probably a bit below par but it was a little sticky too. Different grounds, so you need to be adapting. We pride ourselves on that. The communication is key between batters and bowlers. We were put under pressure in the powerplay, so finding ways to get out of overs, still staying aggressive and taking wickets. We had a good series against India. Any time you can play India in these conditions, it is good prep. Came up against a good team tonight. No easy games in the tournament and we know that will be the case in a couple of days’ time,” New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said.
Brief scores: New Zealand 175 for seven in 20 overs (Finn Allen 31, Mark Chapman 48, Daryl Mitchell 32, James Neesham 23 not out; Marco Jansen 4/40) lost to South Africa 178 for three in 17.1 overs (Aiden Markram 86 not out, Quinton de Kock 20, Ryan Rickelton 21, Dewald Brevis 21, David Miller 24 not out).
