Henry and Duffy shine as gritty New Zealand hold nerve to down SA in tri-series clash

Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy shared six wickets between them as New Zealand began their T20I Tri-Series campaign with a 21-run win over South Africa, defending a total of 173 at Harare Sports Club.

- 

Henry's incisive early bursts (3/34) and Duffy's clutch strikes at the death (3/20) proved too much for the Proteas, who fell short despite a valiant lower-order fightback led by George Linde.

The victory also marked a winning start to Rob Walter's coaching tenure with New Zealand — against the very team he previously coached.

Chasing 174, South Africa were reeling at 111 for 7 in the 14th over, before Linde (30 off 20) and Gerald Coetzee (17) stitched a 37-run partnership to keep hopes alive.

With 31 needed from the last three overs, Linde mistimed a pull and holed out at deep mid-wicket off Duffy, who then removed Coetzee next ball to end the contest and bag a well-deserved three-wicket haul.