NZ wins toss, bowls in 3rd T20 against South Africa

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl Wednesday in the third and deciding Twenty20 cricket international against South Africa.

The match at Eden Park will decide the series after New Zealand won the first match by six wickets in Wellington and South Africa won the second in Hamilton by eight wickets.

South Africa’s victory on Sunday was inspired by an unbeaten 117 by opener Richard Levi who compiled the fastest century in the history of Twenty20 internationals and hit a world record 13 sixes.

Wednesday’s match began under the threat of rain which influenced McCullum’s decision to bowl.

‘When there’s a bit of rain about, the Duckworth-Lewis system comes into play so it’s often better to be chasing,’ McCullum said.

McCullum said New Zealand had not formulated a particular tactic to curb the threat of Levi.

‘It was a tough night the other night collectively but that was because of a sublime innings and it’s important we’re not too tough on ourselves,’ he said.

New Zealand made two changes for Wednesday’s match, recalling Jesse Ryder in place of Colin de Grandhomme and fast bowler Michael Bates in place of Kyle Mills, who is ill.

South Africa made one change, naming Robin Peterson in place of Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

‘I wasn’t sure what I was going to do if I won the toss but I probably would have bowled,’ South Africa captain A.B. de Villiers said.

He hoped Levi can pick up from where he left off.

‘There isn’t much we can do about that but we just made sure he ate plenty of biltong and hopefully he will keep his confidence for today.’