Connor Esterhuizen’s explosive batting display led the Proteas to a thrilling 3-2 series victory over New Zealand in Christchurch on Wednesday. The 24-year-old wicket-keeper/batter topped the run-scoring charts with an aggregate of 200 runs at an average of 50, including a match-winning innings of 75 in 33 balls.
Esterhuizen’s impressive performance has certainly added his name to the list of contenders for the Proteas wicket-keeper/batter role in white-ball cricket. His innings, which included five boundaries and a half dozen sixes, resuscitated the Proteas and ensured a total that was out of the Black Caps’ reach.
Proteas Batting Coach Ashwell Prince Would Be Pleased
There were solid contributions from Wiaan Mulder (31 off 29 balls), Rubin Hermann (39 off 31 balls), and Dian Forrester (21* off 13 balls) in support of Esterhuizen as the visitors totalled a stealthy 187/4. The string of partnerships that yielded 55 runs for the second wicket, 49 for the third, and 61 off only 27 balls for the fourth, would have pleased Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince, who had been calling for such partnerships throughout the series.
Seamer Gerald Coetzee set the tone upfront with an economical two-over spell, allowing his new-ball partner Mulder to reap the rewards. Ottniel Baartman (2/33) picked up his customary wicket in the Powerplay, and Jason Smith made amends for an earlier dropped catch by running out Tim Robinson with a smart throw from the boundary.
Proteas Continue to Impress with Timely Strikes
The Proteas continued to eat into New Zealand’s batting unit with timely strikes, including Baartman holding his composure to dismiss South African-born Bevan Jacobs (36 off 19 balls). From there on, the Black Caps had no way back, with Coetzee (2/21) returning at full throttle to close out the match and the series.
The series victory is a significant milestone for the Proteas, and Cricket South Africa will be pleased with the development of the younger players. The New Zealand tour has been an invaluable exercise for the Proteas rookies, and coach Shukri Conrad will be hoping to build on this momentum in future series.
- South Africa: 187/4 (Esterhuizen 75, Hermann 39, Sears 2/37)
- New Zealand: 154/8 (Jacobs 36, Coetzee 2/21, Baartman 2/33, Mulder 2/28)
- South Africa won by 33 runs, winning the series 3-2
