A milestone night turned into a statement performance as New Zealand women’s cricket team chased down a competitive target to defeat South Africa women’s cricket team by six wickets, sealing the series in emphatic fashion.
Set 160 to win, New Zealand produced one of their finest chases in the format, finishing on 160 for 4 with nine balls to spare. The victory was headlined by a commanding innings from Sophie Devine, whose explosive 64 off 34 balls took the game away from South Africa. Sophie Devine just keeps getting better and even the cricket gods are fangirling over her. She could’ve been out on 0. She ended that over with a six. She could’ve been out on 25. She hit the next ball for six. The powers that be just wouldn’t let this game be deprived of her power at the crease.
Playing her 150th T20I, Devine once again proved why she remains one of the format’s most dominant players. Her innings, featuring 10 boundaries, ensured there were no late hiccups in what could have been a tricky chase. Earlier, contributions from Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer laid the platform. The duo added a crucial 48-run stand, countering the slow nature of the pitch with smart shot selection and calculated aggression before Devine took control.
In the 17th over, when Devine cleared the outfield and the last of her 10 boundaries landed straight in the stands, even she had to take a moment to admire her handiwork. Playing her 150th T20I, one of the game’s all-time greats struck her 10th fifty-plus score in 19 innings against South Africa. Her 64 off 34 balls took all the jeopardy out of a chase of 160 and sealed the series for the White Ferns.
South Africa, after opting to bat, posted 159 for 6, thanks largely to a superb unbeaten 55 from Annerie Dercksen. Coming in under pressure, Dercksen lifted the innings with an aggressive approach, striking boundaries consistently and accelerating in the death overs.
Despite her efforts, South Africa struggled for momentum in the middle phase. Jess Kerr delivered a standout bowling performance, claiming 3 for 16 and maintaining tight control with 14 dot balls in her spell. She also dismissed key batters including Laura Wolvaardt, who had a quiet outing in the series.
The spin of Amelia Kerr further restricted South Africa’s progress, with her variations in pace making scoring difficult. Her clever bowling also accounted for Sune Luus, adding to the pressure during the middle overs. A late surge from Dercksen ensured South Africa crossed 150, with 51 runs coming in the final four overs, but it ultimately proved insufficient against New Zealand’s strong batting lineup.
The match also marked a special milestone for Lea Tahuhu, who became only the fifth White Fern to play 100 T20Is. In the end, New Zealand’s superior execution with both bat and ball, combined with Devine’s brilliance, ensured a comfortable chase and a well-deserved series triumph.