New Zealand decided to chase in Christchurch this morning, sticking with the same XI that levelled the men’s T20I series two days ago. South Africa, already comfortable with their current mix, mirrored that call. After four matches of tinkering, the final game arrives with both camps finally settled – the scoreline reads 2-2, so it is winner-takes-all.
Jimmy Neesham, standing in again for the injured Tom Latham, won the toss and had little hesitation. “We’ve generally liked knowing what we’re chasing here,” Neesham said during the on-field interview, a nod to Hagley Oval’s reputation for holding true under lights. Latham, ruled out by a thumb fracture sustained in game three, is expected to miss another fortnight at least. Tom Blundell remains on standby but doesn’t make the XI.
South Africa’s only real question was whether to recall 19-year-old quick Nqobani Mokoena, so impressive in the opening exchanges. They resisted, preferring the three-seam, three-spin balance that tied the hosts down in Wellington. Captain Keshav Maharaj again leads that spin trio, joined by George Linde and Prenelan Subrayen, while Wiaan Mulder – also pushed up to open – Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman handle the faster stuff.
The New Zealand line-up is unchanged: Tim Robinson and Katene Clarke at the top, Dane Cleaver with the gloves, and Neesham himself in the middle order. Kyle Jamieson continues to spearhead the attack, with fellow quick Ben Sears offering pace at the death and all-rounder Cole McConchie supplying off-spin when required.
Earlier in the afternoon, New Zealand’s women wrapped up their own series 4-1, beating South Africa with something to spare – a result that drew a warm round of applause from the growing Hagley crowd and, briefly, the players limbering up on the outfield.
Squads
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, Jimmy Neesham (c), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears.
South Africa: Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman.
First ball is at 7pm local time; a close finish wouldn’t surprise anyone after the see-saw of the past week.
