It was only his second time finishing things off for New Zealand, perhaps even the first if you’re strict about definitions, but Tim Robinson already knows he likes the sensation. His unbeaten 75 set up a 21-run victory over South Africa in Harare on Wednesday, keeping the Black Caps unbeaten in the tri-series that also features Zimbabwe.
“It’s a great feeling contributing to a win for your country and it’s an addicting feeling and one that I hope to replicate later on,” Robinson said, moments after walking off a warm, dusty outfield that tends to drain energy quicker than it gives runs.
The right-hander joined forces with debutant Bevon Jacobs at 70 for 5, New Zealand wobbling badly against an all-seam Proteas attack that made good use of the longer square boundary. Together they added 103 – the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is – dragging the total to 173 for 5 and, ultimately, out of South Africa’s reach.
Jacobs, a broad-shouldered 24-year-old from Auckland, took a few balls to find his timing. Once settled, he matched Robinson stroke for stroke, finishing on 44 not out from 29 deliveries. The pair ran hard – 29 singles and six twos – repeatedly turning pushes into scrambles. South Africa managed only 21 singles and three twos in reply, and that difference alone just about explained the final margin.
“The Proteas bowling was exceptional,” Robinson said. “Their lengths and the use of the long side was really impressive and they bowled really well with the newer ball. It was hard to find momentum when we were continuing to lose wickets but as we got on and took it deeper and deeper, we could capitalise.”
Capitilise he did. Robinson took 27 from the 20 balls he faced from Corbin Bosch, peppering the off-side fence, and another 23 from Gerald Coetzee, including both of his sixes. Those blows only arrived once the partnership had settled; before that, survival felt paramount.
“The way we thought about it was that the longer we spent at the crease, the easier runs would come,” Robinson explained. “And we couldn’t quite afford to lose many more wickets. We tried to take it as deep as we possibly could and then run hard to the long side.”
South Africa’s chase never quite broke free of the fielders. Even when Rilee Rossouw launched two enormous sixes, the asking rate kept creeping. Tight overs from Adam Milne and Mitchell Santner meant the Proteas required 44 from the last three – the same burst that produced 43 for New Zealand earlier in the evening – and they couldn’t match it.
Robinson reserved special praise for Jacobs, whose international debut looked anything but nervy. “He’s an amazing guy. You look at him and he’s quite the big guy and you think he should hit a big ball and he sure does,” Robinson said. “It was fantastic batting with him. What stood out for me was when he came out he was very calm and looked to really enjoy it. He looked completely comfortable out there and played a really really good knock. He’s going to play a lot of cricket and it’s very exciting watching him bat.”
Next up for the Black Caps are hosts Zimbabwe on Friday. Different attack, different angles, possibly a different surface after two matches in quick succession, and Robinson expects another rethink.
“Zimbabwe are going to pose a different challenge on Friday and we pride ourselves on trying to adapt as quick as we possibly can,” he said.
For now, though, he can file away the memory of that “addicting feeling” and hope another fix isn’t far away.
