Hosts New Zealand eased to a comprehensive 6-wicket win with four balls to spare in their 1st Twenty20 International against South Africa at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Bowling first after winning the toss, the Black Caps restricted the Proteas to a modest 147 for 6.
JP Duminy with 41 (from 37 balls with 3 fours) and Justin Ontong with a cameo of 32 from 17 balls with 4 sixes helped SA to something decent from an otherwise poor situation of 52 for 4 in 9 overs. Tim Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers taking 3 for 28 in 4 overs while off spinner Nathan McCullum opening the bowling came up with tight figures of 1 for 16 in 4 overs.
New Zealand then eased to the target thanks to Martin Guptill’s superb 78 from 55 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. The opening batsman got the Man of the Match for his efforts.
