Martin Guptill guides New Zealand to victory

Centurion: Martin Guptill hit 60 as New Zealand earned a share of the series by winning the second Twenty 20 international against South Africa by 32 runs at SuperSport Park on Sunday.

 

New Zealand made 177 for seven -- their highest total in a Twenty20 international against the Proteas -- before restricting South Africa to 145 for eight.

 

Stand-in captain Kane Williamson, leading a side missing several key players, some injured and others resting, was delighted with what he described as “a much improved effort” following defeat by six wickets in the first match in Durban on Friday.

 

“We touched on a few areas which we needed to improve on after Durban,” said Williamson. 

 

“We wanted a few more runs in the middle overs and we managed that. We took wickets at crucial moments but we were also quite smart with our bowling.”

 

South Africa were never on target in the chase after losing their first three batsmen, including world stars Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, for 47 runs inside seven overs.

 

New Zealand spinners Nathan McCullum and Ish Sodhi both took two wickets and were economical on a pitch which Williamson admitted got more difficult to bat on in the second innings.