The Proteas suffered a seven-run defeat to New Zealand in their rain-hit World Cup warm-up match in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

The Black Caps piled up 321-6 in their 50 overs.

Opener Devon Conway made 78 off 73 balls with 11 fours and a six while wicketkeeper Tom Latham also passed the half-century mark, his 52 runs coming from 56 balls.

It was New Zealand’s second successive 300-plus total in the warm-ups, having chased down Pakistan’s 345 in their opener.

Proteas fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen took three wickets each but fellow quicks Kagiso Rabada and Gerald Coetzee went wicketless for a combined 90 runs in 14 overs.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson made 37 to add to his 54 against Pakistan but he will sit out Thursday’s opener in Ahmedabad as he continues his recovery from injury.

In reply, Proteas opener Quinton de Kock smashed an undefeated 84 but his side fell just short of a rain-revised target of 219 off 37 overs.

De Kock, who will retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup, hit 12 fours and a six in an 89-ball innings.

The 30-year-old stood firm in the draining humidity and also survived being hit on the head by a Daryl Mitchell bouncer.

Rassie van der Dussen hit 51 off 56 balls while Trent Boult took an economical 2-20 off five overs.

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The final round of warm-ups take place on Tuesday when Afghanistan face Sri Lanka in Guwahati, India tackle the Netherlands at Thiruvananthapuram while Pakistan and Australia clash in Hyderabad.

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