THE final match of the T20 series between the country’s men’s national cricket team and New Zealand will decide who will win the championship.
The teams tied 2-2 following the Proteas’ 19-run victory in the fourth match at the Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday.
The home team won the first match at Mount Maunganui by seven wickets, New Zealand responded by taking the second by 68 runs in Hamilton, before winning the third in Auckland by eight wickets.
These results mean that the team that will win the game that will be held at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, tomorrow at 8.15 am, will be the champions of the series.
Both of these teams have made changes to the teams that were playing in the World Cup that wrapped up this month in India and Sri Lanka. The Proteas have called up a number of new players in the team led by Keshav Maharaj.
One of them is Connor Esterhuizen (24) who was chosen as the best player on Sunday as he scored 57 runs in 36 balls while batting, and also caught two balls while playing in the wicketkeeper’s position.
“I’m very happy to be a part of this trip to New Zealand. I’ve learned a lot about coping with the pressure of playing at this level. I don’t think it’s something you can say you finally win, but every time you play, you get used to it,” said Esterhuizen.
“Before this series, coach Shukri (Conrad) advised us who are young in the team that everything you do is scrutinized when you play for the national team, so we have to be strong.”
Meanwhile, the Proteas women will go into the final match of their series against New Zealand aiming to defend their reputation following a six-wicket deficit on Sunday.
Defeat in this game means that the local team will no longer win the series since New Zealand is leading by 3-1.
The hosts won the first match by 80 runs, the Proteas won the second by 18 runs, and New Zealand won the third by six wickets.
The Proteas women and New Zealand will wrap up their series at Hagley Oval tomorrow at 3.45 am.