All-round South Africa outclass New Zealand by 6 wickets in Women's World Cup
The win provides much-needed reprieve for the Porteas, who were bundled out for just 69 runs against England in their tournament opener.
The win provides much-needed reprieve for the Porteas, who were bundled out for just 69 runs against England in their tournament opener.
The win provides much-needed reprieve for the Porteas, who were bundled out for just 69 runs against England in their tournament opener.
An all-round performance from South Africa, led by a century from Tazmin Brits and a four-wicket haul from Nonkululeko Mlaba, helped them to outclass reigning T20I champions New Zealand by six wickets in the Women’s ODI World Cup match on Monday.
After winning the toss, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine's decision to bat first did not pay off as South African bowlers struck at regular intervals, preventing the White Ferns from building a game-changing partnership. New Zealand were bowled out for 231 runs in 47.5 overs, a target the South Africa comfortably chased down in just 40.5 overs.
The win provides much-needed reprieve for the Porteas, who were bundled out for just 69 runs against England in their tournament opener.
South Africa’s bowling attack was spearheaded by left-arm spinner Mlaba (4/40), who also effected a run-out. Mlaba proved to be the game-changer, triggering a middle-order collapse with the key wickets of skipper Devine (85 off 98 balls, 9x4) and Brooke Halliday (45), ensuring the Kiwis were restricted to under 250.
In reply, South Africa's chase was led by Brits, who smashed the Kiwi bowlers to complete 101 off 89 balls studded with 15 fours and one six, her seventh ODI century and first in a World Cup. The experienced Sune Luus gave her support with a composed 81 not out from 114 balls (9 fours, 1 six), taking South Africa over the line with 55 balls to spare.
Brits and Luus added a record 159-run stand for the third wicket off 170 balls — South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s World Cup history.
This emphatic result gave South Africa a timely lift ahead of their high-profile clash against hosts and title favourites India at Visakhapatnam on October 9.
The win lifted the Laura Wolvaardt-led side from the last position to fifth in the points table with two points from as many matches. The 2000 World Cup champions, New Zealand, who had lost to Australia by 89 runs earlier in the tournament, now sit at the bottom of the standings, and they will next face Bangladesh in Guwahati on October 10.