NZ vs SA

10:18 PM local time (2:48 PM IST): So, we are done rather quickly with the first T20I, at Bay Oval! Well done South Africa, for going 1-up! However, New Zealand are sure to come back. Will Tuesday be their day? The action resumes at 7:15 PM local time (1:45 PM IST) from Seddon Park, for the 2nd match. This is Dwijesh and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda! 

Keshav Maharaj (South Africa captain): "All the plans paid off. Execution from our young bowling attack was nice to see. It did get a bit nervous towards the end, but, Connor (Esterhuizen) and Dian (Forrester) held their nerve. Cannot ask more of our debutants! However, it is back to the drawing board now for Tuesday. It is a new game, a new opportunity. It's not every day that you get the chance to captain your country, but to do so in your 50th game, that's special! Happy to take Mitch's wicket! He is a big one to have. It was a tricky wicket to bat on, but we played superb cricket. The only thing I'll ask my boys is to come back with the same intensity." 

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand captain): "There was probably more in it than we thought, specially in the power play. South Africa bowled really well! If you identify what to do early, it helps. But, losing 4 wickets in the powerplay didn't help. 120-130 could have made it interesting. We pride ourselves on adapting, but we didn't do that quickly today. We'll reflect on that and then move on. You have the luxury of 5 games, so, starting slow doesn't mean that we are out of it. It felt strange to get so much assistance! But, it was happy to see the ball turn! Will love a similar wicket in Hamilton!" 

Nqobani Mokoena is the Player of the Match for figures of 3/26!

Nqobani Mokoena (Player of the Match): "It was quite cool to make my debut, and I just tried to enjoy. The whole team was backing me and was trying to enjoy it. The first two overs didn't go my way, but I stuck to my plans, and thank god, it worked my way. The first wicket was cool, and I was more relaxed after that. Conditions were in the bowler's favour so I got to use my slower balls, and it was quite fun too. I have been practising and have been getting my slower balls right."

10:02 PM local time (2:32 PM IST): South Africa win by 7 wickets with 20 balls to spare.

Connor Esterhuizen 45* (48) | Nqobani Mokoena - 3/26 (3.3)
Jimmy Neesham 26 (21) | Mitchell Santner - 1/8 (4)

It was a good win in the end, but, at one point, it looked as though this game could go down to the wire and even, tilt New Zealand's way!

The Blackcaps gave a great account of themselves, and stretched the innings. Skipper Mitchell Santner used the conditions to his advantage, and fellow finger spinner Cole McConchie chipped in with three inexpensive overs.

Santner was extremely unlucky not to have more than one wicket.

As for South Africa, the man to credit, was none other than debutant and opening bat, Connor Esterhuizen! He batted with responsibility, weathered the storm and took his team home, staying not out. On a surface that was really tricky to play shots, he steadied the ship and batted sensibly.

Esterhuizen got good support from another debutant, Dian Forrester, who hung in there and built a good partnership for the 4th wicket.

After Jordan Hermann's injury, Bevon Jacobs twisted his knee in this innings, and is under the medical team's attention right now. We hope that both these players get to feature in the series.

On the whole, this has been a rather convincing victory for the hosts to take the lead in the series!

16.4 Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen, SIX! SOUTH AFRICA GET THE W! Esterhuizen gets a shortish delivery on middle and off, which he pulls with aplomb over the square leg fielder to put in the finishing touches to this chase!

16.3 Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen, a good length delivery bowled outside off, Esterhuizen cuts it towards sweeper cover for couple more runs

16.2 Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen, IN THE AIR! A full ball bowled on middle and off, Esterhuizen skies it to straight down the ground towards long-on where Jacobs twists his knee and has an awkward fall. A couple of runs taken on that occasion

16.2 Kyle Jamieson to Connor Esterhuizen, NO-BALL! Jamieson bowls a waist-high full-toss which takes Esterhuizen by surprise. He looks to bowl a slower one but gets it wrong

16.1 Kyle Jamieson to Dian Forrester, a length ball bowled on middle and off, Forrester pushes it past the fielder at backward point for a single

Kyle Jamieson [3.0-0-16-1] comes back into the attack.

Right, the boundary in the over has helped South Africa. With pace on the ball, it gets much easier to bat. The Proteas better not take it deep now.