adminCHITTAGONG. — Dale Steyn and JP Duminy led South Africa to a thrilling two-run win over Group One rivals New Zealand yesterday that kept them in the hunt for a semi-final spot at the World Twenty20 cricket tournament in Chittagong.South Africa, who lost their opening match to Sri Lanka, struggled early on and needed a blistering unbeaten 86 off 43 balls by Duminy to reach 170 for six.
New Zealand seemed to be cruising in their reply thanks to Kane Williamson’s 35-ball 51 and Ross Taylor’s 62.
They needed 31 off 24 deliveries with seven wickets in hand but a brilliant two-over spell from Steyn (4-17) turned the match on its head. The fiery paceman dismissed the dangerous Corey Anderson for seven in the 18th over and then picked up two for four in the last over with the Kiwis, who beat England in their first match, requiring seven for victory. Taylor, needing three off the last ball, was run out.
Legspinner Imran Tahir also played a key role, taking two for 27, but paceman Morne Morkel had a day to forget as he went for 50 in three overs. — AFP.
Online Reporter