Player of the Match
Player of the Match

4:10pm That will be all from us for this game. We hope you enjoyed our coverage, and until next time, from Harshith, Sudeep and myself (Shashwat), this is goodbye. Take care, folks!

Devon Conway, Player of the Match: It was nice to spend some time in the middle. Got a bit lucky early and fortunate I got through that period. Time in the middle is crucial in T20 cricket. I thought they (the Zimbabwe pacers) bowled really well. Credit to them, they made it hard for us. It was nice to get through that period, and nice to bat with Rachin and get through that period. (On the conditions) Challenging. Our bowlers bowled really well, spinners did well. To keep them to 120 was good. It (the pitch) might have settled down a bit for us, and really good to win. (On Zimbabwe having just one spinner) Only Sikandar bowled today - so it was a good result for us.

Mitchell Santner, New Zealand captain: We were challenged in different parts today. As a bowling unit, we bowled well. We pride ourselves (on our fielding), just a couple of dropped catches by me (smiles). We adapted well with the ball. We knew they were going to fire some shots. Kept taking wickets through the middle and thankfully there was some spin as well for us. (On Robinson missing out) Unfortunate for him. His innings the other day was outstanding. It is a good position for us. All (members of the squad) can do a job for us.

Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe captain: I don't think we batted well at all. The powerplay was okay, but after that, when the ball started turning, we did not have any answers. Once the middle (overs) got away from us, it was tough to come back. It is a time when we have to accept the skills we have and improve on them. Once the skills are there, we can make a better plan. Today was a fair reflection of where we are (against spin and pace on challenging tracks). 145 would have been par and would have given us a better chance.

3:52pm A fairly comfortable run-chase in the end. That, though, did not seem the case at the start of the innings, when Muzarabani and Ngarava were getting the new ball to talk. Conway rode his luck a little, including being dropped by Muzarabani in Ngarava's first over, but found his range the longer he batted. Ravindra, who put on 59 with Conway, was the major driving factor in that partnership and his initial charge, including three successive fours off Gwandu inside the powerplay, put paid to any Zimbabwean hopes of a comeback.

Speaking of Zimbabwe, they gave it a proper rattle, at least for the first four overs. But they were soon playing catch-up because of how few they had on the board. There may still be something to work with for the hosts, but having lost two out of two, and with them pretty much in last-ditch territory (in this tri-series), they will have to figure out a way to score more runs. Stick around for the post-match presentation.

13.5
4
Gwandu to Conway, FOUR, Conway applies the finishing touches, and NZ make it two wins out of two at a canter! On the shorter side again and even though this hurries Conway into the pull, he manages to muscle it away past mid wicket. Deep square cannot get around to it either, and New Zealand cruise to an eight-wicket victory, with more than six overs to spare!
13.4
1
Gwandu to Mitchell, 1 run, short on middle and off. Mitchell winds up Shane Watson style and heaves it towards deep backward square leg
13.4
1w
Gwandu to Mitchell, 1 wide, very similar to the previous ball, and this is beyond the tramlines too. Left alone by Mitchell and some more exercise for the umpire right at the end
13.4
1w
Gwandu to Mitchell, 1 wide, short and too wide outside off. Mitchell cannot reach it and the umpire has no qualms in calling it a wide either. That is just the second wide bowled today!

NZ one hit away now

13.3
1
Gwandu to Conway, 1 run, off-pace short delivery on leg stump. Conway lets the ball come to him before pulling it towards deep square leg
13.2
1
Gwandu to Mitchell, 1 run, that is a proper half-tracker outside leg and Mitchell is disappointed he has missed out here. Swipes it straight to fine leg
13.1
6
Gwandu to Mitchell, SIX, nicely done! Back of a length outside off. Mitchell figures out the line and the length early and shimmies across. He then waits for the ball and scoops it cleanly over the fine leg fence!

The NZ batters taking on some more fluids during the change of overs. Gwandu to bowl. NZ 14 runs away from making it two wins in two in this tri-series

END OF OVER:
13 | 8 Runs | NZ: 107/2 (14 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 8.23, RRR: 2.00)

  • Daryl Mitchell18 (16b)
  • Devon Conway54 (38b)
  • Blessing Muzarabani4-0-27-1
  • Sikandar Raza3-0-23-0
12.6
1
Muzarabani to Mitchell, 1 run, hard length just outside off. Mitchell hacks it towards mid on and gallops across to the other end
12.5
1
Muzarabani to Conway, 1 run, dug in short outside off. Conway gets on top of the bounce and slaps it towards deep point
12.4
1
Muzarabani to Mitchell, 1 run, off-pace on a back of a length just outside off. Mitchell is too early into his swing and drags it towards deep square leg

New Zealand 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st5DP ConwayTL Seifert
2nd59DP ConwayR Ravindra
3rd58DP ConwayDJ Mitchell