Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said his team “didn’t get any rhythm” after the Proteas were bowled out for 107 in a seven-wicket defeat to New Zealand.
Prince explained the team failed to capitalize on the three ways to succeed in T20 cricket: “You can play a match-winning innings, be in a nice partnership, or have a cameo. Today, the only box we ticked was George Linde.” Linde smashed 33 off 12 balls, including three sixes and three fours, but by then South Africa were 67 for 5 in the 11th over and out of contention.
Devon Conway led New Zealand with a match-defining 60, while partnerships exceeding 35 runs and cameos from Cole McConchie (18 off 12) and Josh Clarkson (26 off nine) pushed the total to 175/6. Prince praised Conway’s ability to score on a tricky surface, noting: “Devon played a great innings at a strike rate of about 125 on a hard-working pitch.”
The Proteas were also affected by injuries and squad rotation, with Jordan Hermann returning home after a hamstring injury. Prince said of Hermann: “It would have been nice for him to play alongside his brother Rubin. He’s one of the bright young players in South Africa.”
Despite a strong bowling effort early on, captain Keshav Maharaj conceded 24 runs in the final over of New Zealand’s innings, a decision guided by head coach Shukri Conrad. Prince defended it: “Keshav has bowled big overs for us lately, and the coach was keen for him to bowl the last over.”
With senior batters resting ahead of the Indian Premier League, Prince remains optimistic about the young players’ potential. “We have an exciting group who’ve done well in the SA20 over the last couple of years. It’s about giving them time to adapt to international cricket,” he said.
The third T20I will be played in Auckland on Friday.
