Worcestershire 2017 NatWest T20 Blast player Mitchell Santner and his New Zealand team-mates are heading for a fifth ODI decider against South Africa in Auckland on Saturday.
The Black Caps levelled the series at 2-2 with a seven wicket success in Hamilton today, chasing down a 280 target with five overs to spare.
It was a Worcestershire-Warwickshire spin combination which took the new ball for New Zealand in Santner and Jeetan Patel.
Santner bowled in typically economical fashion, conceding just 40 runs in his 10 overs with one six and one four and picking up the wicket of middle order batsman David Miller.
He made just a single before sweeping Santner into the hands of deep mid wicket.
Santner was the most economical of the bowlers who completed their full spell as some late hitting by AB De Villiers (72 not out) lifted the Proteas to 279-8 in their 50 overs.
But New Zealand made light of their task thanks to an amazing innings from opener Martin Guptill.
He hit 11 sixes and 15 fours in making 180 not out off 138 balls and shared in a third wicket stand of 180 with Ross Taylor (66).
Santner will link up at New Road for a second spell after the completion of the ICC Trophy.
