Christchurch is the venue for the fifth and final T20 International between New Zealand and South Africa, the game takes place on Wednesday and the winner here will also claim the series.
This is 5 match series is currently locked up at 2-2.
South Arica took out the opening contest by 7 wickets after bowling New Zealand out for 91.
New Zealand squared things up with a 68 run victory in the second match posting 175/6 and the visitors were all out for 107.
New Zealand then took a 2-1 lead after winning the third match by 8 wickets, caing down the Proteas total of 136/9 in 16.2 overs.
Coming into the fourth match in Wellington on Sunday South Africa had to win to keep the series alive and they obliged with a 19 run victory. After winning the toss and opting to bat the Proteas posted 164/5 with Connor Esterhuizen top scoring with 57 which included 3 of his sides 8 maximums. Kyle Jamieson was New Zealand’s top bowler with figures of 2/29.
Tim Robinosn made 32 at the top of the order in New Zealand’s chase but that proved to be the top score and the hosts were all out for 145 in 18.5 overs, clearing the ropes just 4 times. Gerald Coetzee, took 3 wickets and Maharaj, Subrayen and Baartman claimed 2 a piece to take the series to a decider.
This was how the teams lined up in the 4th T20
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Katene D Clarke, Dane Cleaver (wk), Nick Kelly, Bevon Jacobs, James Neesham (c), Josh Clarkson, Cole McConchie, Zakary Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears
South Africa: Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, Dian Forrester, George Linde, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj (c), Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman
The Betting:
At the time of writing New Zealand are trading at around 7/10 to win the game with South Africa priced at even money.
Prices are subject to change
The Verdict:
Tom Latham was a key absentee for New Zealand in the fourth T20 and at the time of writing his participation in this decider was in the balance. With the IPL starting at the weekend big guns on both sides are already in India but I would say the Proteas now boast the stronger squad and I’m with the visitors to hit the most sixes.
Bets: South Africa to hit the most sixes at 23/20 with Sportingbet