New Zealand Predicted Playing XI vs South Africa- 4th T20I, 2026- Santner and Ferguson OUT!

New Zealand playing XI for 4th T20I vs South Africa [Source: X]

The Wellington Regional Stadium is all set to host the fourth T20I of the New Zealand vs South Africa T20I series on March 22 at 11:45 AM (IST).

Following an early hiccup in the series, where the ICC Men's T20 World Cup finalists got bundled for just 91 runs, they found their way back in the series with two lop-sided wins over the Proteas. In the third T20I, led by Lockie Ferguson's 1/9 (4) and Tom Latham's 63* (55), the Blackcaps took a lead in the series and now aim to wrap things up before the final T20I.

Before the experienced duo of Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner leave the squad, they are the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker of the series, respectively. Conway has 100 runs in three innings, including a fifty, while Santner has picked 5 wickets, conceding at just 4.80 runs per over. Bean Sears has also gotten 5 wickets at an economy of 5.70.

For the second-string Proteas side, debutant Connor Esterhuizen is their leading run-scorer with 68 runs in three matches, including an unbeaten 45 to win the series opener. With the ball, skipper Keshav Maharaj has 4 scalps in three matches, but has conceded at 10 runs per over in the series.

As New Zealand rests their mainstays, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, and Lockie Ferguson for the last two matches, we take a look at New Zealand Playing XI vs South Africa for the 4th T20I.

New Zealand playing XI Vs South Africa- 4th T20I

Openers and top order: Tom Latham (c) (wk), Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson

Southpaw, Tom Latham is set to lead the team in the remainder of the series as Santner goes for a rest and subsequently to the IPL. So far, he has scored 81 runs in the series with the best of an unbeaten 63 in the last T20I to take a lead in the series.

The 26-year-old Katnene Clarke is likely to make his debut to replace Conway at the top of the order. In his 52-innings T20 career for the Northern Districts, he hs scored close to 1500 runs at a strike rate of 143.61 and a healthy average of 30.30.

While Tim Robinson can also open the innings, he is likely to stick to 3 for the 4th T20I and step-up and perform after only scoring only 24 runs in 3 matches.

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Middle-order: Nick Kelly, James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes

With Santner set to go on a break, the responsibility of the middle-order will come on Nick Kelly and James Neesham, who will both look to fire and help the team to clinch the series in Wellington.

As it has been the case in recent times, they will be a all-rounder heavy playing XI, with as many as four multi-faceted players. Following Neesham will be Cole McConchie, who has made a name for himself over the past couple of months with his off-spin and explosive batting at number 6/7.

Josh Clarkson returned to the New Zealand playing XI for the first time in two years in the last T20I and scored a blistering 26*(9) to take the match away. He will continue to remain a part of the XI and can also provide some medium pace option as per the team's needs.

The final batter in the New Zealand Playing XI vs South Africa will be Zak Foulkes, who has only batted in 12 T20I innings but scored at a rate of 148.33. He will also take the new ball alongside Kyle Jamieson and find some swing early on.

Bowlers: Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears

The Central Districts left arm orthodox spinner will come in as Mitchell Santner replacement in New Zealand Playing XI vs South Africa for the remaining T20Is after his impressive ODI outings against India earlier in the year. He has 63 T20 wickets in 45 innings, proving his credentials as a bona fide wicket-taker. He can also bowl at a miserly economy rate in the middle overs.

The joint-highest wicket-taker of the series, Ben Sears, with 5 wickets at an economy rate of under 6 will continue with the team alongside Kyle Jamieson, who will bowl upfront.

In Lockie Ferguon's absence after his match-winning 1/9 in the last T20I, the burden of the bowling attack will be shared among the duo, who have shown their ability to perform for New Zealand from time-to-time.

New Zealand Playing XI vs South Africa- 4th T20I: Tom Latham (c) (wk), Katene Clarke, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, James Neesham, Cole McConchie, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Ben Sears.

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