By BV Swagath
New Zealand bounced back after its humiliating defeat at Durban by pulling off a thrilling final ball win in the Second T20I at East London. Martin Guptill not only scored a last ball boundary to win the match for the Kiwis but also finished a superb unbeaten century in 69 balls with 9 fours and half a dozen sixes.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, South Africa posted 169 for 5 in 19 overs. The match was reduced to a 19-over contest after bad light caused intervention during the South African innings. Opener Henry Davids provided the impetus with a 38-ball 55 (with 7 fours and a six). Skipper Faf du Plessis top scored in the innings with his 43-ball 63 (with 8 fours and a six). Left-handed David Miller scored a good cameo of 33 from 18 balls. For the Kiwis, Doug Bracewell took 3 for 33 in 3 overs. Off spinner Nathan McCullum was economical going for 23 runs in his 4 overs.
The Kiwis needing a revised target of 169 from 19 overs got a perfect opening stand of 76 in 9.5 overs. The match went right till the wire and Guptill finished it in New Zealand’s favour by smacking a widish full toss from Rory Kleinveldt over extra covers for a boundary.