Tom Cole

A series decider coming up - After four matches, it is all level at 2-2 between New Zealand and South Africa, making the final and fifth T20I a winner-takes-all game. The hosts will have plenty to think about after a disappointing night with the bat, with the inexperience in the middle order clearly showing. It was a day of two halves for New Zealand in Wellington. The White Ferns set the tone in the afternoon, beating South Africa Women by a comfortable six wickets to claim the series with a game to spare. But the men could not match that clinical edge in the evening and now head into the decider with some serious questions to answer about their batting approach. The final T20I takes place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday, March 25th, with the first ball scheduled at 6.15 am GMT. But do make sure to join us in advance for all the buildup and analysis. Until then, we take your leave. Cheers!

The victorious captain of South Africa - Keshav Maharaj says it's a perfect response after two difficult games. Reckons that there are no pre-conceived ideas before playing, just see the ball and play to the merit. He says the energy in the camp has been really good coming into the match, with a lively warm-up giving him a sense of the hunger and desire within the group. To see that transferred onto the field, he adds, was phenomenal. Maharaj also adds that the fire and passion of playing for your country is always there but says sometimes you just need a little reminder. He notes that it is a young team finding its feet in international cricket and that these things take time, but the response after three games was superb.

The captain of New Zealand - James Neesham reflects on the loss. He describes the loss as a disappointing one, noting that a true and high-scoring wicket was wasted due to poor stroke execution. He reflects on the team's downfall, admitting that the batters tried far too hard by attempting to swing at almost every delivery. Despite the result, Neesham says that he is embracing his new role, acknowledging the heavy mental load a captain carries during a game while expressing that he is thoroughly enjoying the challenge of leading the side. Neesham adds that they have been good with the ball in the last two games and will look to close the series well with a win.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Connor Esterhuizen wins the award for a brilliant knock of 57 from 36 balls. Esterhuizen says he kept it simple as he didn't have much time to think today. Shares that he tried to cover his off stump and play straight lines, and partnership is key. On his wicket-keeping role, Connor says that in New Zealand, the ball swings around, and it's difficult to grab, but also says that he has overall enjoyed wicket-keeping so far.

Esterhuizen shines, Kiwis restrict - South Africa were motoring at 50 for 1 in the Powerplay, with Esterhuizen doing the heavy lifting en route to a maiden T20I half century. He and de Zorzi put on 81 together, though de Zorzi was very much the silent partner in that deal. Once Esterhuizen was gone, so was South Africa's momentum. Hermann and Forrester tried to revive things but the Kiwi bowlers kept pulling the rug out at crucial moments, never letting the innings breathe. New Zealand were sharp with the ball, especially at the death. They went full deceptive mode with pace offs and cutters, using the drop-in surface brilliantly to keep the batters tied down. A few dropped chances aside, they got the job done and kept South Africa to under 170. Jamieson led the way with 2/29, including a maiden, and Sears was ice cold in the final over, giving away just two runs to wrap up a disciplined effort.

Spinners turn the screws on - Cleaver gave the chase a shot in the arm with a brisk cameo, but his dismissal in the ninth over was the crack South Africa needed. Subrayen exploited it beautifully, snapping up wickets in back-to-back overs to drag the game back sharply. Then came the moment that really swung it. Neesham had been handed two lifelines in the same Baartman over and still could not survive. Losing their most experienced batter was a gut punch for New Zealand. 76/2 had become 120/8 and suddenly the chase looked a very different proposition as the spin duo barged through the inexperienced Kiwi middle order. And from there, the Proteas just didn't let the hosts breathe and bowled them out with Coetzee picking up a three-for, while Baartman, Maharaj and Subrayen finished with two apiece.

The Kiwis fly, then stumble - With dew starting to settle, New Zealand came out swinging. Tim Robinson gave the chase a bright start, but Clarke's evening with the bat was a brief one on debut. The hosts were always going to need their top order to build something sensible given the inexperience in the middle order, and at nearly 10 an over inside the Powerplay with 63/2 on the board, the runs were there. But when Robinson fell for 32, South Africa finally had something to cheer about and came clawing back into the contest.

Proteas level it up in Wellington - A job very well done by the tourists with the ball. They may have had their doubts at the halfway stage, perhaps feeling the total was a touch below par with dew factor in mind, but they executed their plans to near perfection. Maharaj was shrewd with his bowling changes throughout and it all came together beautifully in the end.

18.2: Gerald Coetzee to Kyle Jamieson, Three more! Jamieson uses the height again, he sees the shorter delivery around off and lifts it over mid off. Keshav Maharaj runs back, He slides near the ropes, slips in the process but keeps his composure, releasing the ball just in time before touching the boundary cushions. Brilliant presence of mind from Maharaj. Three runs taken. The replay shows Maharaj managed to keep his legs away from the cushion while holding the ball in his hand.