Tom Latham, bowlers help New Zealand take 2-1 series lead

On Friday, March 20, South Africa did not have any answers on a two-paced surface, despite the Eden Park's reputation as a batter's paradise. After stifling the visitors to 136/9, New Zealand prevailed comfortably by 8 wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the remaining five matches. New Zealand set the tone from the start, opting to field first and having Lockie Ferguson dismiss Wiaan Mulder for a four-ball duck. In the third over, Connor Esterhuizen defeated Kyle Jamieson for a six and two fours, but when Mitchell Santner came on, things went awry for South Africa. While getting the ball to stop and turn, the New Zealand skipper caused a mistimed hit off Esterhuizen to earn his first wicket. Ben Sears' velocity proved too hot to handle as well, with Tony de Zorzi falling in the final Powerplay over. Before Rubin Hermann dragged a delivery from Cole McConchie onto his stumps, South Africa were reeling at 46/5, and Santner swiftly removed Jason Smith for the third time in as many games this series. Before picking out the fielder at point, Dian Forrester briefly flexed his muscles, which aptly suggested an evening when everything would go well for New Zealand. Gerald Coetzee and George Linde too struck a few boundaries to take South Africa past the 100-run mark, but Jamieson's change-ups accounted for both their wickets in the 15th over. Nqobani Mokoena pushed the game along even though South Africa appeared headed for defeat. He started the game off with a six, then added two more, including one off the final ball of the innings, to remain unbeaten on 26 and spare South Africa the embarrassment of losing. Despite Devon Conway and Tom Latham's swift start, the hosts' score of 136 was never going to be enough. A 21-run over off Lutho Sipamla proved to be the match's highlight, as the South African pacers speared a significant number of deliveries onto the pads as the openers promptly cashed in. Coetzee tied Latham down in the final Powerplay over, conceding a lone run, but it did little to overturn South Africa's fortunes. While Latham top-scored with an unbeaten 63 off 55 balls, Conway ramped up the pace after a sluggish start. The 96-run partnership between Keshav Maharaj and Conway came to an end in the 11th over when Conway was run out to deep midwicket for 39. Both batters regularly hit the fence. After that, Tim Robinson scored two boundaries in his run-a-ball 17 but was penalized LBW with the scores still tied. After that, Nick Kelly quietly signed off with a single, and New Zealand made it home with 22 deliveries left. Ferguson, who returned miserly figures of 1/9 off his four overs, was adjudged the Player of the Match. In the fourth Twenty20 International on Sunday in Wellington, the hosts will attempt to conclude the series with consecutive victories and momentum on their side. They won't be able to do it with Ferguson, Conway, or Santner around because Latham will be taking over as captain.