Henry Secures Player of the Match for Thrifty Bowling

HARARE: Veteran bowler Matt Henry successfully defended a mere seven runs in the final over, propelling New Zealand to a thrilling three-run triumph against South Africa in the T20I tri-series final hosted by Zimbabwe. The match took place at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 181, South Africa managed to score 177/6 in their allotted 20 overs, despite a solid half-century from opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius and an explosive innings from Dewald Brevis.

The Proteas initiated their chase energetically, with Pretorius and Reeza Hendricks compiling a 92-run partnership within the first 10 overs.

Michael Bracewell disrupted the opening stand on the fourth ball of the 10th over, dismissing Pretorius, who top-scored for South Africa with 51 runs off 35 balls, including five boundaries and a pair of sixes.

Hendricks, his opening partner, then engaged in a brief 24-run partnership for the second wicket with captain Rassie van der Dussen before being caught out by Zakary Foulkes in the 13th over, having scored 37 runs off 31 deliveries, highlighted by four sixes.

South Africa subsequently lost two more wickets in quick succession, plummeting to 131/4 in 15.1 overs, requiring an additional 50 runs from 29 balls.

Middle-order batsman Brevis kept South Africa in contention with a rapid cameo, reducing the equation to seven runs needed off the last over.

However, the right-handed batter’s innings ended abruptly as he was caught out by Henry on the second delivery of the crucial over. He scored 31 runs from 16 balls, featuring one four and three sixes.

His dismissal spurred Henry, who conceded only three runs on the subsequent two deliveries before dismissing George Linde (10) on the penultimate ball.

South Africa then required four runs off the final delivery, with Senuran Muthusamy on strike, but Henry outsmarted the number eight batsman with a slower ball, securing a remarkable victory for New Zealand.

Matt Henry stood out as New Zealand’s premier bowler, claiming two wickets for 19 runs in his four overs, while Jacob Duffy, Foulkes, Adam Milne, and Bracewell each took one wicket. Henry was named Player of the Match for his match-winning bowling effort.

After being put in to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 180/5, thanks to their top-order batsmen.

Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra jointly spearheaded New Zealand’s batting performance, each scoring 47 runs, while opener Tim Seifert contributed a 28-ball 30.

Daryl Mitchell (16) and Michael Bracewell (15) provided valuable runs towards the innings’ end with quick cameos.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi secured two wickets, while Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, and Senuran Muthusamy each claimed one scalp.