Explained! Why Cole McConchie Did Not Bowl Again After Double-Wicket First Over?

The high-voltage 1st semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 between South Africa and New Zealand is underway at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. NZ skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bowl first. The decision proved well for the Kiwis as they managed to restrict the mighty Proteas on 169 runs.

The main reason behind New Zealand’s great bowling performance was their star all-rounder Cole McConchie, who gave a perfect start to the team to put the South African side on backfoot early in the innings. It seemed like McConchie's day, however, Santner made an unexpected move and didn’t gave the off-spinner another over in the entire innings of the SA vs NZ T20 World Cup match.

Why Cole McConchie Did Not Bowl Again?

It won’t be wrong to say that Cole McConchie came out of syllabus for the South African top-order batters. The spinner was introduced in the second over of the innings and picked up back-to-back wickets of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton.

Getting rid of two of the most dangerous batsmen in the world pegged South Africa back a little bit. However, McConchie didn’t get to bowl a single over again in the innings. The reason behind Santner's decision is the numbers of right-handed batters in the South African batting order.

Marco Jansen and Tristan Stubbs batted for most part of the South African innings and both of them are right-handers. It might be the rationale behind McConchie, who is himself an off-spinner, not bowling another over in the ICC T20 World Cup semi-final.

Rachin Ravindra Followed Where McConchie Left

There were a lot discussions around the powerful South African batting lineup ahead of the SA vs NZ semi final 2026. However, no one expected the New Zealand bowlers to rip apart the Proteas’ top and middle order.

As McConchie wasn’t given a single one after his double-wicket over, left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra handled the responsibility. The star all-rounder dismissed two of the best T20 batsmen, Aiden Markram and David Miller, while conceding only 29 runs in four overs.

Cole McConchie bowling in semi final and Ravindra’s spell allowed the Kiwis to restrict South Africa on 169 runs. Later, New Zealand went on to win the match on the back of Finn Allen, who struck the fifth fastest century in T20 cricket.