James Neesham to Lead New Zealand in Fourth T20I Against South Africa New Zealand’s cricket team will be without the services of Tom Latham for the fourth T20I against South Africa. The wicketkeeper-batter sustained an injury during the third match at Eden Park on Friday when he was struck on the thumb by South African fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena. Despite the injury, Latham continued batting to score an unbeaten 63, guiding his team to an eight-wicket victory. Latham was named New Zealand’s captain for the final two T20Is of the series after Mitchell Santner’s exit from the team. Following the match, medical staff assessed Latham’s thumb and he was transported to Christchurch for further scans. His availability for the fifth T20I against South Africa will depend on the results of these scans. In the meantime, Tom Blundell has been called up as a replacement for the Wellington encounter. This will mark Blundell’s first T20I appearance since April 2025. In Latham’s absence, all-rounder James Neesham will lead the team in the fourth T20I. This represents a significant milestone in Neesham’s career, as it will be his first time captaining the national team. He becomes the 12th New Zealander to hold the role in T20I cricket. Notably, the veteran all-rounder has played over 100 T20Is for his country. New Zealand currently leads the series 2-1 after three matches, with the fourth game scheduled at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on March 22. The Kiwis have only won one of their previous six bilateral T20I series against South Africa, making this potential victory particularly significant. After losing the first match, New Zealand has staged a strong comeback in the series. However, regular skipper Santner, along with several other players, will not be available for the final two fixtures.#james_neesham #south_africa #tom_latham #nqobani_mokoena #christchurch
Black Caps v South Africa: Jimmy Neesham to captain New Zealand for first time in fourth T20 Veteran allrounder Jimmy Neesham will take charge of the Black Caps for the first time in a T20 match during tonight’s fourth game against South Africa in Wellington. Usual skipper Mitch Santner is stepping aside for the final two games of the series, and Tom Latham was initially set to serve as temporary captain before being replaced due to a thumb injury. Neesham will become the 12th player to lead the Black Caps in a T20 international. The 35-year-old, who has represented New Zealand in 103 T20 matches, will lead the team as Latham undergoes scans in Christchurch to assess the severity of his injury. The injury occurred when Latham was struck by a delivery from South African fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena at Eden Park on Friday night. Despite the impact in the fourth over, Latham continued batting, finishing with an unbeaten 63 off 55 balls to help the Black Caps secure an eight-wicket victory in Auckland. The outcome of Latham’s scans will determine his participation in the fifth and final T20 of the series at Hagley Oval. In the meantime, Tom Blundell has been added to the squad as cover for Latham’s absence. The Black Caps currently lead the five-match series 2-1, and a win in Wellington would secure the series triumph with one game remaining. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:15 pm, with the White Ferns hosting the Proteas in the opening game of the doubleheader. The Black Caps’ upcoming fixtures will test their resilience as they aim to maintain their series advantage. The team’s performance in the fourth T20 will be crucial in determining whether they can clinch the series outright. The injury to Latham has raised questions about the team’s depth and adaptability, particularly in high-pressure situations.#black_caps #tom_latham #nqobani_mokoena #jimmy_neesham #mitch_santner
Bowlers hand South Africa early series lead South Africa secured a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening T20I of the 2026 tour at Mount Maunganui on March 15, taking an early series lead. The win provided a morale boost for a South African team led by Keshav Maharaj, which faced challenges with a makeshift squad and a short turnaround. New Zealand, also lacking their strongest lineup, fielded only three players from the semifinal squad, while South Africa included four debutants. The match saw South Africa’s bowlers dominate, with Gerald Coetzee and Nqobani Mokoena playing pivotal roles. Coetzee dismissed Devon Conway and Tom Latham within the first 13 deliveries, while Mokoena struck twice in a single over to dismantle New Zealand’s innings. Mitchell Santner, returning from a previous injury, was dismissed early, and the visitors struggled to recover. Despite Jimmy Neesham’s efforts, South Africa’s pace bowlers maintained control, finishing the Powerplay on a high note with Connor Esterhuizen hitting a six. New Zealand’s total of 91 in 14.3 overs was a modest score, with James Neesham scoring 26. South Africa’s chase was steady, with Esterhuizen and Dian Forrester batting sensibly to reach the target of 92. Esterhuizen’s 45 not out and a crucial pull shot in the final over ensured a comfortable victory. The win highlighted South Africa’s bowling depth and resilience, as they capitalized on New Zealand’s early vulnerabilities. Brief scores: New Zealand 91/3 in 14.3 overs (James Neesham 26; Nqobani Mokoena 3-26, Gerald Coetzee 2-14) lost to South Africa 93/3 in 16.4 overs (Connor Esterhuizen 45*, Mitchell Santner 1-8).#new_zealand #south_africa #connor_esterhuizen #gerald_coetzee #nqobani_mokoena
