New Zealand’s preparations for the fourth T20I against South Africa took a hit on Sunday when wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham was ruled out of the match at Sky Stadium in Wellington after sustaining a thumb injury during the third game of the series.
The Blackcaps confirmed through a social media statement that Latham was struck on the thumb by a delivery from South African fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena during the third T20I at Eden Park in Auckland on March 20. The 33-year-old will not take any further part in the match scheduled for Sunday as New Zealand look to protect their 2-1 series lead.
Tom Blundell has been called into the squad as a direct replacement, adding cover in both the top order and behind the stumps. Blundell is a capable option in both roles and his inclusion ensures New Zealand are not short-handed going into the penultimate match of the five-game series.
Captaincy Plans Disrupted
The injury carries consequences beyond Latham’s batting and keeping contributions. Under New Zealand’s rotational captaincy arrangement for this series, Mitchell Santner had led the team through the first three matches, with Latham set to take over for the fourth and fifth games. That handover will now not happen, and Santner is expected to continue captaining the side for the remainder of the series.
It is also worth noting that New Zealand had already been without leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who fractured his thumb during a training session at Bay Oval on March 14. Scans confirmed the fracture the following day, and Sodhi was ruled out for a minimum of four weeks.
Despite that setback, New Zealand opted against calling up a replacement at the time, citing confidence in their existing bowling resources. The two thumb injuries to key players mark an unfortunate pattern for the hosts across an otherwise successful home series.
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How New Zealand Won the Third T20I
Latham had in fact played a central role in the third T20I victory that gave New Zealand a 2-1 series lead. South Africa batted first and struggled to build any real momentum, finishing with 136 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Lockie Ferguson made an early impact, removing opener Wiaan Mulder for a four-ball duck in the second over. South Africa failed to recover from that start. Connor Esterhuizen, coming in as wicketkeeper-batter, made 15 off eight balls before falling to Santner, leaving the visitors in trouble at 26 for 2 inside five overs. Tony de Zorzi, the other opener, was dismissed by Ben Sears for 15 off 18 deliveries, with the scorecard reading poorly for South Africa at that point.
Santner picked up his second wicket when he removed Jason Smith for 10, and the Proteas slipped further to 44 for 4 after seven overs. Jimmy Neesham then dismissed Forrester for 17, deepening the collapse and reducing South Africa to 68 for 6 before the halfway mark.
George Linde offered some resistance with 23 off 19 balls, featuring two fours and a six, before Kyle Jamieson ended his innings. Gerald Coetzee chipped in with 16 off eight deliveries. Ben Sears wrapped up Proteas captain Keshav Maharaj for three. It was a late partnership between Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla that helped South Africa reach a total worth defending. Mokoena top-scored with 26 off 20 balls, hitting one four and three sixes.
In reply, New Zealand were measured and efficient, completing the chase with 22 balls to spare and losing only two wickets. Latham opened alongside Devon Conway, and the pair put together a 96-run stand that effectively decided the match.
Conway contributed 39 off 26 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes, before Maharaj dismissed him. Tim Robinson then joined Latham and added 40 runs before Sipamla removed him for 17 off 17 balls.
Latham finished unbeaten on 63 off 55 balls, an innings built on seven fours and two sixes, as New Zealand crossed the line at 136 for 2 in 16.2 overs. Nick Kelly was not out on one at the other end. It was Latham’s fifth T20I half-century, and the innings came with a physical cost, as the blow from Mokoena that would eventually rule him out of the fourth game came during that match.
Series Context
New Zealand now lead the five-match series 2-1, with two games remaining. South Africa need to win both to take the series. The fourth T20I at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Sunday is therefore a critical game for the visitors, who will know that another defeat effectively ends their chances.
For New Zealand, the challenge is to maintain their winning form without Latham, who has been a reliable presence at the top of the order across the series. Blundell steps in as a like-for-like replacement in terms of roles, and Santner continues to lead a squad that has shown it can adapt.
The series began with South Africa winning the first match by seven wickets, but New Zealand have since responded well, winning two consecutive games to move into a position of control. South Africa’s batting has been inconsistent, and their bowlers will need to find more early wickets on Sunday to put the hosts under pressure.
Both sides will be aware of what is at stake. A New Zealand win seals the series. A South Africa win keeps the contest alive heading into the final match.
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