South Africa wins the toss and bats in the fourth T20 against New Zealand South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj secured the toss on Sunday and opted to bowl against New Zealand in the fourth Twenty20 match of the series. The decision comes after a series of tightly contested games that have seen New Zealand take a 2-1 lead in the five-match contest. South Africa had claimed the first match by seven wickets, while New Zealand responded with victories in the second and third matches, scoring 68 runs and eight wickets respectively. New Zealand’s Tom Latham, who scored 63 in the third match to guide his team to a win on Friday, is sidelined due to a thumb injury. His absence means the Black Caps will miss several key players for the final two games, including opening partner Devon Conway, captain Mitchell Santner, and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson. The team has made several adjustments to their lineup, with wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver returning to the squad for the first time since 2023. Batsman Katene Clarke, making his debut, and all-rounder Josh Clarkson, who is set to return, will also feature. Jimmy Neesham has been named as the new captain for the remaining fixtures. South Africa has also made two changes to their squad, including the debut of offspinner Prenelan Subrayen and the recall of Ottneil Bartman. Seamers Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla have been rested for the match. New Zealand’s lineup for the fourth T20 includes Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver, Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, Jimmy Neesham (captain), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, and Ben Sears. South Africa’s squad features Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Prenelan Subrayen, and Ottneil Baartman.#new_zealand #south_africa #keshav_maharaj #tom_latham #t20_series
Kayla Reyneke staying in the present despite World Cup approaching Proteas Women star Kayla Reyneke emphasized her focus on the ongoing New Zealand tour rather than the approaching T20 World Cup in England, following the team’s 6-wicket loss to the hosts in Auckland. The defeat left South Africa trailing 2-1 in the five-match T20 series with two matches remaining. Reyneke, who scored 34 off 20 balls in her innings at number seven, reiterated that the team is concentrating on the current series and upcoming matches against India, rather than the World Cup selection process. Reyneke, 20, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in the latest game, pointing to a subpar first innings score of 149 at Eden Park and defensive errors with the ball. She highlighted the need for greater aggression in scoring and tighter bowling to improve their performance. Her innings featured three sixes and two fours, showcasing her ability to contribute with the bat despite her lower position in the order. She explained her role as a finisher, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the game’s flow and delivering when needed. “Being a finisher is about power hitting, but it’s also about reading the situation and knowing what the team needs at that moment,” Reyneke said. The team’s next match, scheduled for Sunday in Wellington, will be crucial in determining whether South Africa can remain in contention for the series. Reyneke expressed confidence in the team’s depth and capability to bounce back, stressing the importance of learning from mistakes and staying positive. She noted that a single match should not define the team’s performance, citing the collective expertise of both the coaching staff and players. “We have good cricketing brains in the management and the player’s camp,” she said.#new_zealand #south_africa #kayla_reyneke #proteas_women #t20_series
