Black Caps defeat has experimental Proteas searching for balance

The Proteas’ failure to build partnerships cost them dearly as they slumped to a 21-run defeat to New Zealand in their second match of the T20I Tri-Series at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Both teams were evenly matched at the halfway stage, but a 103-run sixth-wicket partnership between Tim Robinson and debutant Bevon Jacobs lifted the Black Caps to 173/5 from a precarious 74/5. 

In contrast, the Proteas lost wickets at regular intervals despite solid contributions from Dewald Brevis (35), George Linde (30), and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (27) to eventually be bowled out for 152 with 10 balls still remaining in their innings. 

"I thought it was gettable. It was a good pitch. We didn't get any rhythm going, really, with our batting, particularly early on in the batting department. I think that's quite key when you're chasing a score, just getting some sort of rhythm going in the line-up, get a partnership early on," Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said.

"If you don't do that, you're kind of behind the eight ball, and you're always trying to catch up. We know that we have the power to catch up, keeping an eye on the difference between the runs required and the balls left, and we managed to bring that down nicely. But at the same time, we kept losing wickets. So, it's just about finding that balance when you're chasing that score."

The fact that the entire Tri-Series is being played at the Harare Sports Club also played a part in how the Proteas approached the run-chase.

The coaching staff tried to maintain a left-right batting combination in the middle as Rubin Herman (1) and Senuran Muthusamy (7) found themselves being promoted up the order to No 3 and 4 respectively, as the management looked to take advantage of the smaller side of the ground for boundaries.

While the proactive decision didn't work, Prince gave a reason behind the decision-making.

"I think today's lineup was maybe a little bit experimental as well in terms of left-right combinations, all those types of things that you try and put in place to try and maximise the short boundary," said Prince.

"You know, next time we play, it might be in the middle of the pitch, then you don't make a decision like that. So it'll be different. Next game, you play what's in front of you. We know that we have the firepower to win every game in the series. But we also respect our position. We are also beatable."

While the batters had an off day yesterday, the bowlers had a good shift upfront, with Kwena Maphaka (2/38) leading showing intent with the new ball, while left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy (1/19) was impressive on debut.

"I felt we bowled really well. The plans were pretty good, we used the bouncer pretty well and that brought us a few wickets. Sen Muthusamy on debut, I think he bowled four overs for 19 and took one for 19, so that was outstanding," said Prince.

"I think they (New Zealand) had a good finish towards the end. The two guys played really well in that partnership towards the end, which gave them a competitive score, but still a gettable score. So the bowling, I think, was pretty good."

Having won one and lost one in their first two games of the Tri-Series thus far, the Proteas will have a few days off and return to action on Sunday when they take on Zimbabwe.