While the other New Zealand bowlers were struggling against South Africa to find a rhythm and a purple patch, left-hand fast bowler Trent Boult, on the other side, was on song with his aesthetic bowling display. Boult grabbed the figures of 2/8 in his allotted four overs in the first T20I in Auckland.
Earlier, after being put into bat by the hosts, South Africa rode on Hashim Amla’s aggressive 43-ball 62 to score a total of 185/6 in 20 overs. The boundaries which were a bit closer didn’t really create a problem for Boult to come up with his bowling showcase.
Here’s how pundits reacted after Boult’s spell.
Trent Boult’s figures of 4-0-8-2 are the most economical Twenty20 figures at Eden Park. No one conceded less than 14 runs previously. #NZvSA
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) February 17, 2017
All these Kiwi grounds are postage stamps. Played on bigger grounds at school ?? #NZvSA
— Skipper (@grumpy_skipper) February 17, 2017
16 dot balls, just Superb Bowling by Trent Boult , #nzvsa
— Ambuz (@AmBoozed) February 17, 2017
That score is defendable, if our bowlers can show us magic #NZvSA #Proteafire
— MOKOKO WA JAPAN (@RomarioAbdula) February 17, 2017
Eden Park, SA bat 1st and put a good score…rain comes down during the break…Heard this story before#NZvSA #OnlyT20
— Mr Mo (@Mo_Mokhs) February 17, 2017
Trent Boult’s figures of 4-0-8-2 are the most economical Twenty20 figures at Eden Park. No one conceded less than 14 runs previously. He also bowled 16 dot balls during the innings.
Grandhomme was the only other bowler in the innings who had an economy of less than 10. While Boult was clinical with his bowling, Kiwi bowling spearhead Tim Southee was smashed for 47 runs in 4 overs while spinner Michael Santner leaked runs at an economy of 10.
