Sports News for 25 July 2025
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RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
New Black Caps coach expects more from Zimbabwe in Test series
New Zealand's Tim Seifert during the Blackcaps v Pakistan 3rd T20I at Eden Park Friday, 21 March Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Black Caps coach Rob Walter believes the team's adaptability is paving the way for their success in Zimbabwe. New Zealand went through the T20 Tri-Series unbeaten, scoring a three-run win over South Africa in the final in Harare on Sunday. Walter, who is on his first tour in charge, said the players adapted well to the local conditions. "Played on three different pitches through the series and all three of them played differently," Walter told RNZ. "The way the guys were able to adapt to the conditions and the opposition was excellent, both with bat and ball." Walter used 18 different players during the Tri-Series. Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway were the top three run scorers in the tournament, while Matt Henry grabbed 10 wickets. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi had the best bowling economy rate of 5.75, with Zak Foulkes just behind him on 6.31. Conway wasn't originally named in the squad for the Tri-Series, but was called up to replace the injured Finn Allen. He made the most of his opportunity, averaging 45 over four games. "Dev is a quality player and sometimes form can be a bit wanting, but ultimately these guys will shine at some point," Walter said. "It was good to see him expressing himself and playing with some nice freedom New Zealand's Matt Henry (L) and Mitchell Santner. Photo: photosport The Black Caps now prepare for a two-Test series against Zimbabwe starting in Bulawayo on Wednesday. Zimbabwe have played seven Tests so far this year. Their most recent was a 2-0 loss at home to South Africa. They lost the first Test by 328 runs and the second by an innings and 236 runs. "They'll certainly be a better team in this series, they've got a couple of players coming back that will definitely strengthen what they look like. "We'll be paying attention to our standards so we're looking to deliver a really good performance across the two Test matches." Test series, Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo First Test: 30 July- 3 August Second Test: 7-11 August Black Caps test squad Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell (first Test only), Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
Otago Daily Times
16 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Henry delivers as Black Caps triumph
Matt Henry says no. South Africa needed seven off the last over to win the final of the Zimbabwean Tri-Series in Harare. Dewald Brevis was at the wicket and striking it nicely. But experienced Black Caps right-armer Henry sealed the win with a gutsy final over. Instead of going to the yorker to dot-up his opponent, he went for a hard length and the right-hander holed out dramatically. George Linde was brilliantly caught from the penultimate ball as well to help seal a three-run win. The Black Caps posted 180 for five. South Africa were costing but got the wobbles and were restricted to 177 for six. But with just seven runs needed from the final over, and six wickets in hand, South Africa had the whip hand. But turns out Henry had the reins. He was named player of the match for his two for 19 from three overs. Adam Milne (one for 27 from four) proved hard to get away, while New Zealand's top three all made valuable runs. Tim Seifert's innings (28 off 30) was cut off by a quality catch by the captain Rassie van der Dussen at extra cover. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy had hung the ball out wide and Seifert had to reach for it. But van der Dussen had to reach further. He dived high to his right and intercepted it. Still, Seifert and Devon Conway had put on 75 for the first wicket and the Black Caps had a very solid platform. Conway pushed on to post 47 from 31 balls and Rachin Ravindra slapped 47 from 27. But the Black Caps' innings fell away at the back end. They were not able to push on and bury the game. That left the door ajar for the Proteas and they were cruising at 92 without loss. Did someone say choke? That might be a bit harsh, but the momentum changed when the Black Caps broke the opening stand between Lhuan-dre Pretorius (51 off 35) and Reeza Hendricks (37 off 31). Pretorius was creating memories for the highlight reel on his way to his maiden T20 international half-century, while Hendricks was either blocking the ball or bashing it. When he bashed it, the ball went for six. Michael Bracewell got the important breakthrough. He lured Pretorius out of his crease and Seifert effected the stumping. Hendricks pulled the ball to Conway at deep backward square. Brevis clouted 31 from 16. He smashed three sixes — one of them was a one-handed effort. He was inches away from swatting a fourth, but Bracewell showed great balance and some juggling skills at deep mid-wicket to take the catch right on the rope in a tense last over. The match was still there for the taking, but Daryl Mitchell made a stunning diving catch to dismiss Linde. And Henry closed the game with a dot ball to complete a tremendous over that proved the difference. New Zealand was unbeaten during the series which also involved the home team Zimbabwe. The Black Caps are set to play two tests against Zimbabwe, the first beginning on Wednesday. NEW ZEALAND T Seifert c van der Dussen b Muthusamy 30 (28) D Conway c Burger b Ngidi 47 (31) R Ravindra c Brevis b Burger 47 (27) M Chapman c Hermann b Ngidi 3 (6) D Mitchell not out 16 (14) M Bracewell c Linde b Maphaka 15 (12) M Santner not out 3 (2) Extras (lb 6, w 13)19 Total (for 5wkts, 20 overs)180 Fall: 1-75, 2-101, 3-127, 4-152, 5-174. Bowling: L Ngidi 4-0-24-2 (1w), N Burger 4-0-41-1 (3w) K Maphaka 4-0-35-1 (3w), G Linde 1-0-9-0, S Muthusamy 3-0-27-1, C Bosch 4-0-38-0 (1w). SOUTH AFRICA L Pretorius st Seifert b Bracewell 51 (35) R Hendricks c Conway b Foulkes 37 (31) H van der Dussen c Mitchell b Milne 18 (17) R Hermann c Mitchell b Duffy 11 (8) D Brevis c Bracewell b Henry 31 (16) G Linde c Mitchell b Henry 10 (10) C Bosch not out 3 (2) S Muthusamy not out 0 (1) Extras (lb 1, w 15)16 Total (for 6wkts, 20 overs)177 Bowling: M Henry 3-0-19-2, J Duffy 4-0-36-1 (2w), Z Foulkes 3-0-36-1 (3w), A Milne 4-0-27-1, M Santner 3-0-29-0 (1w), M Bracewell 3-0-29-1 (1w). Result: New Zealand won by three runs.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Henry heroics guide Black Caps to Tri-Series final win
New Zealand seamer Matt Henry restricted South Africa to three runs from the last over to seal a dramatic three-run victory in the Twenty20 International Tri-Series final in Harare. Chasing 181 for victory, South Africa needed eight off the last eight balls with six wickets in hand, and seven from the final over, but brilliant catches in the outfield by Michael Bracewell and Daryl Mitchell helped restrict them to 177-6. Dewald Brevis looked as though he had won the game with 31 from 16 deliveries and was an inch or two from completing the job as he launched Henry towards the square-leg boundary, only for Bracewell to juggle the ball as he stepped over the rope back into play to complete the catch. Mitchell took a superb diving effort at long off to dismiss George Linde, who looked as though he would win the game for the South Africans with a big hit down the ground. Senuran Muthusamy could not get bat to ball on the final delivery of the game from Henry, who finished with figures of 2-19 from three overs. "As a group we have been playing some really good cricket and to get over the line in a really tight game, I am proud of the guys," Henry said. "It is credit to the attitude of our team, making sure we stay in the fight and knowing that wickets can change things." New Zealand were sent into bat and amassed 180 for five. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both scored 47. Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 51 from 35 balls in South Africa's reply and they looked to be coasting home before Brevis' dismissal and the excellent final over from Henry. "We played a pretty good game, it was a match of millimetres," South Africa captain Rassie van der Dussen said. "We have had guys making debuts and experimented a bit (in the series), so for the young guys to come in and get so close, we will learn a lot from this." Zimbabwe were the third team involved in the Tri-Series, but lost all four group games. - Reuters
