Quinton de Kock copped a blow on the helmet and tackled some difficult deliveries en path to his unbeaten 84 (89b, 12×4, 1×6), however ultimately, it wasn’t sufficient as South Africa went all the way down to New Zealand by seven runs by way of Duckworth-Lewis technique in a rain-curtailed World Cup warm-up fixture.
After Devon Conway (78, 73b, 11×4, 1×6) and Tom Latham (52, 56b, 4×4, 1×6) guided New Zealand to 321 for six, South Africa was cruising at 211 for 4 in 37 overs when rain stopped play. South Africa was seven runs behind the DLS rating of 218 when it began drizzling initially. However in fast time, it began pouring – forcing the match officers to name off the sport.
After its first recreation in opposition to Afghanistan was washed out and not using a ball being bowled, South Africa regarded regular regardless of chasing a tall complete, with de Kock holding the fort and Rassue van Dussen contributing with a gritty 51 off 56.
Despite the fact that New Zealand’s quick bowlers – Trent Boult and Matt Henry – troubled the South African batters initially with their swing, dismissing Reza Hendricks on a duck, the Proteas fought again, and de Kock and van Dussen cast a 72-run partnership.
AS IT HAPPENED: New Zealand vs South Africa highlights
They performed to the benefit of the ball and dealt with spinners effectively earlier than van Dussen fell to Mitchell Santner. Although the seasoned Ish Sodhi dismissed captain Aiden Markram early, Heinrich Klaasen continued to get pleasure from life in opposition to the spinners as he checked out ease in opposition to Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra.
With de Kock trying set for a century, the match was heading for one more high-scoring thriller earlier than rain performed a spoilsport.
Earlier, New Zealand regarded set to get previous 350 with Conway in high kind. Opener Tom Latham and middle-order batter Glenn Phillips had missed out within the first recreation in opposition to Pakistan, however on a floor that had one thing in it for brand spanking new ball bowlers, all of them scored runs.
Kane Williamson, who’s recovering, additionally regarded good once more in his gritty 37, earlier than Latham scored a 52-run innings off 56 deliveries.
Because the day progressed, batting regarded straightforward, however credit score to South African bowlers – Marco Jansen, Ngidi Lungi and Kagiso Rabada – as they didn’t permit New Zealand to get the ultimate flourish. They restricted the harm within the final 10 overs because the trio executed their plans properly – with a change of tempo, some broad yorkers and brief ball.
As South Africa leaves for New Delhi on Tuesday morning for its event opener, van Dussen didn’t wish to suppose an excessive amount of concerning the rain-marred warm-ups.
Actually, he believed that the crew was feeling recent. “It’s what it’s, it’s not too dangerous. We’re going into the event, feeling fairly recent… We anticipated the rain to return a lot earlier immediately, so we’re proud of the time we obtained within the center. We determined to bowl first to present the bowlers spell. You may’t actually suppose an excessive amount of about it,” he mentioned.
In one other growth, Temba Bavuma – the South African captain, who had gone dwelling to take care of a private emergency – is on his method again to India and can be part of the crew in New Delhi on Tuesday, confirmed the crew’s spokesperson.