Hamilton, March 17: The South Africa women’s cricket team secured a thrilling victory against New Zealand, winning by 18 runs in the second T20 International match on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 178 runs at Sedon Park, New Zealand was bowled out for 159 runs.
With this win, South Africa has leveled the series at 1-1. New Zealand’s innings got off to a rocky start, losing Georgia Plimmer for just one run. Wicketkeeper-batter Isabella Gaze also struggled, contributing only six runs before being dismissed. After losing two wickets for just 31 runs, the South African bowlers faced a resilient partnership between captain Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine, who added 39 runs for the third wicket. However, Devine couldn’t capitalize on her start, scoring 25 runs off 18 balls before returning to the pavilion.
Amelia Kerr played a crucial role, scoring 32 runs off 18 balls, including six boundaries. New Zealand continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Izzy Sharp scoring 29 runs off 21 balls and Jess Kerr adding 14 runs off 10 balls. South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for just 27 runs in her four overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba claimed three wickets for 27 runs.
Earlier, South Africa posted a total of 177 runs after losing five wickets in their 20 overs. Tazmin Brits was the star of the innings, scoring a powerful 53 runs off 43 balls. Captain Laura Wolvaardt contributed 41 runs off 33 balls. The opening partnership between Brits and Sune Luus was impressive, as they put together 62 runs in just 6.6 overs. Luus scored 31 runs off 21 balls, hitting five fours and one six.
Brits and Wolvaardt then added 48 runs for the second wicket. During her half-century, Brits hit five fours and three sixes. In the final overs, Kayla Renke made a quick-fire 28 runs off just nine balls, maintaining a strike rate of 311. For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr and Jess Kerr each took two wickets.
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