NZ vs SA – New Zealand bowl, both teams unchanged for decider

New Zealand chose to bowl vs South Africa

In a series which has seen plenty of changes, as both South Africa and New Zealand experimented with their T20I sides, both sides went in unchanged for the fifth and final T20I in Christchurch. The series is locked at 2-2 after South Africa won games one and four, and New Zealand won games two and three. The hosts have opted to chase in the decider.

Tom Latham, who was due to captain New Zealand in the fourth and fifth match, was unavailable after being hit on the thumb in match three. He sustained a minor fracture and will be out of action for between two and three weeks. In his absence, Jimmy Neesham was leading New Zealand after making his leadership debut in Wellington. Tom Blundell, who was brought into the squad as cover for Neesham, is on the bench.

South Africa have left out impressive 19-year-old quick Nqobani Mokoena, who played the first three matches, and stuck to a three-seam, three-spin combination. Wiaan Mulder, who will also open the batting, Gerald Coetzee and Ottneil Baartman along with Keshav Maharaj, George Linde and Prenalen Subrayen, make up their attack.

New Zealand: 1 Tim Robinson, 2 Katene Clarke, 3 Dane Cleaver (wk), 4 Nick Kelly, 5 Bevon Jacobs, 6 Jimmy Neesham (capt), 7 Josh Clarkson, 8 Cole McConchie, 9 Zak Foulkes, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 10 Ben Sears

South Africa: 1 Tony de Zorzi, 2 Wiaan Mulder, 3 Connor Esterhuizen (wk), 4 Rubin Hermann, 5 Jason Smith, 6 Dian Forrester, 7 George Linde, 8 Gerald Coetzee, 9 Keshav Maharaj (capt), 10 Prenalen Subrayen, 11 Ottneil Baartman

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