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Matt Henry Keeps His Nerve As New Zealand Beat South Africa In A Last Ball Thriller

Arnav Chopra

Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry (Source: @yxshwsingh/X.com, @SomersetCCC/X.com)Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry (Source: @yxshwsingh/X.com, @SomersetCCC/X.com)

It turned out to be a historic T20I Tri-series final in Harare, where New Zealand triumphed over South Africa by just three runs, courtesy of an excellent final over by Matt Henry. South Africa failed to chase New Zealand's 181 as they fell short, courtesy of some excellent fielding.

Conway, Rachin Fire As New Zealand Touch 180 Despite Ngidi's Controlled Spell

South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand into bat. Their openers, Tim Seifert and Devon Conway, had a super start, with Seifert scoring 30 as New Zealand lost their first wicket on a score of 75.

However, despite the wicket, Conway was joined by Rachin Ravindra, and both of them batted decently together until Conway became the second victim on 101, with the left-hander scoring 47.

Later, Ravindra too scored 47 off 27 deliveries with two maximums and four boundaries, while a few runs from the lower order saw New Zealand reach 180 by the end of the 20 overs, losing five wickets on the way. Pacer Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing figures of 2/24 in his four overs.

Matt Henry's Sensational Final Over Seals The Deal Despite Brevis' Powershow

In reply, the Proteas started the chase in an ideal manner, scoring 92 runs for the first wicket, with youngster Lhuan-dre Pretorius scoring a blistering 51 off 35 deliveries, scoring five boundaries and two sixes, helping South Africa with a power start to their innings.

Meanwhile, his opening partner Reeza Hendricks was dismissed when South Africa had 116 on the board. With South Africa having an upper hand in the match, Adam Milne came in and bowled a brilliant spell of 1/27 in his four overs, restricting the Rainbow Nation's run-rate.

Skipper Rassie van der Dussen could only manage 18, while youngster Rubin Hermann was dismissed on 11 with South Africa in trouble, having lost wickets back-to-back, and were reduced to 131 for 4 after 15.1 overs.

The match was looking long out of their grip, but then came storm in form of Dewald Brevis, who struck an outstanding 16-ball 31 to bail the South African side out of trouble, as he smashed three maximums and a boundary to take his team closer to victory before being dismissed in the final over, courtesy of a wonderful catch from Michael Bracewell, as Matt Henry got the breakthrough to his name.

After Brevis's departure, the African side required seven off four deliveries when Corbin Bosch came in and tried to play a few shots. And in the end, when four runs were required off two deliveries, George Linde went for a big hit, only to be brilliantly caught by Daryl Mitchell at long on, putting the Proteas in further trouble.

Now with the final delivery, Henry bowled another perfect slower one to beat the bat of Senuran Muthusamy, as New Zealand clinched the game by a bare margin of three runs and the Tri-Series final, while Henry registered excellent figures of 2/19 in his three overs.