Dale Steyn produced a spell of fast bowling that would rate amongst the finest to help South Africa secure a two-run win over New Zealand on Monday in the World Twenty20.
Steyn returned with figures of 4-17 as South Africa restricted New Zealand to 168-8 after they scored 170-6.
Needing seven runs to win in the last over, New Zealand could score only four against Steyn.
“He proved today why he has been the world’s best bowler for such a long period team,” South Africa captain Faf Du Plessis said. “I thought new Zealand got themselves in a position where they should have won the game and something special was required for us to try and get away.”
Generating pace and an accurate line and length, Steyn confounded the New Zealand batsmen in the last over. He started with the wicket of Luke Ronchi, who played in cross bat as wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock dived full length to take an excellent catch.
Steyn’s next two deliveries were dot balls before Nathan McCullum connected on the fourth. He fell on the next delivery by Steyn to leave the side requiring three off one ball.
Ross Taylor negotiated the last delivery but the pitched-up delivery confused him. He ran for a run but Steyn calmly took off the bail to trap Taylor run out.
Taylor made New Zealand the favourite to win the match until Steyn produced the last over magic. He scored 62 off 37, including four fours and three sixes. Kane Williamson made 51. Imran Tahir finished 2-27 for South Africa.
Earlier, JP Duminy hit 86 not out for South Africa to lay a platform for its first victory in the tournament. Hashim Amal scored 41.
Sri Lanka canter to a comfortable win
In the other game of the day, Sri Lanka earned a nine-wicket win over the Netherlands to move into the top spot of Group 1 at the World Twenty20.
By bowling out the Netherlands in T20 international’s lowest score of 39 in 10.3 overs, Sri Lanka completed the victory in five overs, making 40-1.
It was Sri Lanka’s second straight victory after beating South Africa by five runs.
Ajantha Mendis and Angelo Mathews claimed three wickets each, while Lasith Malinga took 2-5.
