A momentary lapse of concentration by Martin Guptill sparked a collapse as New Zealand squandered a good start in the first Twenty20 international against South Africa at Kingsmead on Friday.

New Zealand made 151 for eight after being sent in to bat, but the tourists looked on track for a much bigger total before Guptill was run out for 42 off the third ball of the 13th over after the Black Caps reached 102 for one.

It was the start of a slide in which seven wickets fell for 49 runs.

Guptill was slow to return to his crease after looking for a second run and didn’t get his bat over the crease before Farhaan Behardien’s pinpoint throw gave wicketkeeper Morne van Wyk a chance to break the stumps.

Guptill and skipper Kane Williamson put on 68 for the first wicket off eight overs, with Williamson making 42 off 21 balls with eight fours.

The only other batsman to make a worthwhile contribution was George Worker, who hit 28.

David Wiese was the pick of the bowlers, taking two for 24, while Kagiso Rabada and left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso also took two wickets apiece.

South African T20 captain Faf du Plessis was a late withdrawal because of a knee injury, with AB de Villiers, the one-day captain, taking over.

It is the first match of a short tour during which New Zealand will play two Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals.
Source: AFP