New Zealand had won seven international matches in a row before the first Twenty20 against South Africa. Their success began with the celebrated Test win in Hobart, and continued through the home series against Zimbabwe, whom they did not merely beat, but pulverised. Yet, New Zealand had to prove their form was real and not inflated by a succession of matches against relatively weak opposition. They had to reproduce it against South Africa.And they did. Brendon McCullum’s side had a near-perfect performance in Wellington. Their bowlers did not let South Africa’s batsmen find rhythm, and their batsmen did not let South Africa’s bowlers settle...