South Africa vs New Zealand 2017: 1st T20, 5 talking points

South Africa exorcised the demons at Eden Park in a dominating display in the one-off T20 against New Zealand. Put in to bat first, South Africa made 185 in their allotted overs courtesy a fine half-century by Hashim Amla and some late order cameos by AB de Villiers and JP Duminy.

New Zealand crumbled in the face of some penetrating bowling by Chris Morris and later Imran Tahir, who picked up a magnificent five-wicket haul to further his reputation in T20 cricket. The Kiwis were bowled out for a meagre score of 107 in the 15th over.

Tom Bruce offered some resistance with the bat for the Kiwis but Tahir ripped through his defence, and then played with the tail enders to wrap up the game for the Proteas.

Brief Scores: South Africa 185/6 in 20 overs (Amla 62, Boult 2/8) beat New Zealand 107 all out (Bruce 33, Tahir 5/24, Morris 2/10)

Take a look at some key moments from the South Africa - New Zealand T20 game.

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#5 Trent Boult's opening burst

Boult went for just eight runs and picked up two wickets in his four overs

Trent Boult is among the best left-arm fast bowlers in world cricket today and at Eden Park, he showed just why in a spectacular opening burst of 2-0-2-1. Swerving the ball into the right-hander, Boult troubled Amla and Quinton de Kock in his first over with late swing.

He conceded just five runs off his first over with four of them coming from a leg bye. He started his second with a peach of a ball that eluded Amla's edge and went on to dismiss the dangerous de Kock, who pulled him to deep square leg. He later returned to concede just two runs in the 19th over and took the wicket of Farhaan Behardien.

With the IPL auctions just a few days away, Boult gave a good reminder of his ability with the new ball in hand. He was in demand last time around and this show with the new ball should increase his popularity before the all-important auction on 20th.

#4 Amla blazes away

Amla gave South Africa a brilliant start, scoring 62 in 57 balls

There is an aspect about Hashim Amla's batting that batting purists just don't get. He looks classy yet has an odd technique, one which made critics assume early in his career that he would never succeed. He proved them wrong umpteen times.

The same critics later felt that he was suited just for Tests and ODIs given the fact that he relies more on ground shots. Amla is proving them wrong yet again in the shortest format of the game. With a penchant for piercing the smallest of gaps to perfection, Amla is a prominent figure South Africa's T20 plans.

In Eden Park, the opener was on fire, smashing Ben Wheeler for four consecutive fours early on in his innings. He went on to dominate Southee and de Grandhomme and smashed part timer Munro for a four and a six before being dismissed for 62 off 43 balls.

#3 Morris betters Boult's burst

Morris picked up two wickets and conceded 10 runs in his three overs

If Trent Boult set an example of how to bowl with the new ball at Eden Park, Chris Morris took it a step further in an eye-catching spell opening the bowling in the absence of Kagiso Rabada.

He generated lovely shape in his very first over, beating the bat of Glenn Philips with his fourth ball. The all-rounder went on to dismiss the debutant with the first ball of his second over and cleaned up Colin Munro with his next, ending a double wicket maiden over.

He finished another over which went for just five to complete a terrific opening spell of 3-1-10-2. South Africa are searching for an opening partner for Rabada with the new ball and Morris has once again put his hand up for the job.

#2 Andile Phehlukwayo keeps impressing

Phehlukwayo bowled an impressive spell, picking up three wickets

The Proteas all-rounder was the top wicket taker in his debut ODI series against the Australians at home. His ability to land the perfect yorker and vary pace to confuse batsmen has made him a threat in the middle overs.

He carried his bowling form into the T20 here at Eden Park, choking the Kiwis for runs with some tight lines and smart variations. The well-built all-rounder had Kane Williamson in his first over, deceiving him with pace.

Phehlukwayo then forced an edge off Corey Anderson's bat that was safely pouched by de Kock. In his next over, he had Mitchell Santner driving to covers off another well-disguised delivery.

#1 Imran Tahir rules limited overs cricket

Tahir was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas

The celebrity leg-spinner is the no.1 ranked bowler in ODIs and T20s and at the moment there is no stopping him. Having stamped his authority in the South African squad, Tahir is now their go-to man at times of crisis.

At Eden Park, the wrist spinner was once again at his best. He cleaned up a set Tom Bruce with a beautiful googly to further New Zealand's problems at 60/5. Opting for the double bluff next ball, Tahir bowled another googly that Luke Ronchi meekly edged to de Kock.

The Proteas spinner then came back from a couple of meaty blows by de Grandhomme and had him caught in the deep before cleaning up Ben Wheeler's stumps to complete a four-wicket haul. Tahir completed his five-wicket haul by bowlin Southee through the gate.