Auckland, March 20: The New Zealand women’s cricket team triumphed over South Africa in the third match of the T20 series, winning by six wickets at Eden Park. This victory gives New Zealand a 2-1 lead in the series.
Chasing a target of 150 runs, the Kiwi team successfully scored 152 runs for the loss of four wickets in just 18.4 overs. Veteran player Sophie Devine played a crucial role, scoring an impressive unbeaten 55 runs off 38 balls, which included one six and six fours. She formed a vital partnership of 84 runs with Maddy Green, who contributed 34 runs. Captain Amelia Kerr also chipped in with 30 runs.
Earlier, South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the team’s start was rocky, losing both openers with just nine runs on the board. Wolvaardt, batting at number three, stabilized the innings by forming a 51-run partnership with Neri Dercksen for the third wicket. Dercksen scored 27 runs off 18 balls, hitting two fours and two sixes before being dismissed at a score of 60.
Wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals. Wolvaardt was dismissed for 37 runs off 39 balls, run out by Amelia Kerr. Kayla Renneke, batting at number seven, managed to score an unbeaten 34 runs off 20 balls, helping the team reach a total of 149 runs for the loss of seven wickets in their 20 overs.
Sophie Devine was named Player of the Match for her all-round performance, taking two wickets for 21 runs and scoring an unbeaten 55 runs. The fourth match of the series is scheduled for Sunday.
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