Hamilton: An all-round South Africa held their nerves yet again in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and defeated hosts New Zealand by two wickets at the Seddon Park here on Thursday. With 6 runs needed off the final over, Marizanne Kapp, the Player of the Match, smashed between long-on and deep midwicket for a boundary before taking a single. Ayabonga Khaka then took the Proteas over the line with a quick single, ensuring South Africa remain unbeaten in the tournament. Chasing 229, Laura Wolvaardt (67) continued her brilliant form and made sure South Africa remain in a comfortable position. She was supported by her skipper Sune Luus, who scored 51 before Hannah Rowe turned the tables in favour of New Zealand. Amelia Kerr dented South Africa’s chase, taking three wickets which included the crucial wickets of Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez (1). The match was still in balance with Kapp and Chloe Tryon in the middle. Just when Tryon (14) tried to go big, she gave a straight catch to Kerr at deep midwicket off Frances Mackay. The off-spinner then caught and bowled Trisha Chetty for 3, reducing South Africa to 211 for seven. However, Kapp, who was previously involved in a narrow win against England, rescued her side in a crunch chase despite wickets falling regularly at the other end. Earlier, skipper Sophie Devine’s knock of 93 helped New Zealand post a competitive score of 228. Devine’s 101-ball innings included 12 fours and one massive six, as her partnership with Kerr (42) and then with Maddy Green (30) formed the backbone of the New Zealand innings. Devine’s dismissal in the 41st over led to a late collapse, with the hosts losing their final 6 wickets for just 30 runs. Seamers Khaka (3/31), Shabnim Ismail (3/27) and Kapp (2/44) led the way with the ball for the Proteas. Devine lost fellow opener Suzie Bates (4) in the third over as New Zealand were reduced to 6/1 after electing to bat, but Kerr joined her captain as the pair set about resurrecting the early damage. The duo looked solid and stitched an 81-run stand for the second wicket, until South Africa captain Luus (1/48) intervened with the big wicket of Kerr. Luus had Kerr trapped lbw and experienced batter Amy Satterthwaite (1) fell in the next over to Khaka as the Proteas gained the upper hand. Devine then fell to a yorker by Khaka and the rot then fell in as South Africa cleaned up the New Zealand tail to ensure their victory target would not be too high. Brief scores: New Zealand 228/10 in 47.5 overs (Sophie Devine 93; Shabnim Ismail 3/27, Ayabonga Khaka 3/31) lost to South Africa 229/8 in 49.3 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 67, Sune Luus 51; Amelia Kerr 3/50) by 2 wickets. UNI PN
