Tri-Nation Series 2025: Robinson, Duffy star as New Zealand edge past South Africa

Tim Robinson. (Photo Source: Twitter/X)

New Zealand pulled off a 21-run win over South Africa in the second match of the Zimbabwe Twenty20 Tri-Series on July 16 at the Harare Sports Club. Asked to bat first, the Kiwis began on a decent note. Tim Seifert gave them a quick start with his 16-ball 22, but the top order struggled to capitalise. Devon Conway fell on nine, and three of the top five, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Hay, and James Neesham.

Following this, Tim Robinson anchored the innings with an unbeaten 75* off 57 balls, while debutant Bevon Jacobs hammered 44* off 30 balls. Together, they stitched a 103-run unbeaten stand, the second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in T20Is for New Zealand. The duo smashed 43 runs in the final three overs, taking the total to 173/5.

In reply, South Africa had an explosive start, with Lhuan-dre Pretorius hitting six boundaries in his 27 off 17. But once Matt Henry had him caught behind and Duffy removed Rubin Hermann, the Proteas suffered a collapse. By the ninth over, the team lost Reeza Hendricks, Senuran Muthusamy, and captain Rassie van der Dussen for low scores.

New Zealand begins their series with win

Dewald Brevis tried to stabilise the innings with his 35 off 18 balls, but fell to Henry. George Linde then added 30 runs and stitched a 37-run stand with Gerald Coetzee to bring the team back in the game. Duffy, who was brought back, dismissed Linde and Kwea Maphaka in successive deliveries. Henry then returned to remove Coetzee and seal the victory. Duffy (3/20), Henry (3/34), and Ish Sodhi (2/34) shared eight wickets among them and made sure to begin the series on a high.

“I obviously feel great. To contribute to a win is always fantastic. We got off to a rough start there, to keep going there with Bev was really nice. Credit to the Proteas bowlers, they bowled really well especially when new batters came in. Bev and I were discussing to take it deep. It was a good wicket and the ball seemed to fly. I thought it was a good surface. It was difficult to start, but once you got in, you could trust the wicket, it was beautiful to bat,” Robinson said after receiving the Player of the Match award.