The New Zealand women’s side have gone 3-1 up in the seven-match ODI series, after needing just 28.2 overs to see off the Proteas’ 194 in Paarl on Monday.

After enduring the disappointment of going 2-1 down in the series in Kimberley last week, all three of those matches counting towards points in the ICC Women’s Championship, Hilton Moreeng’s side were looking to brush themselves off in Paarl.

Unfortunately, the fourth ODI was a carbon copy of the third.

Chasing 188 to win last week, the White Ferns picked off the runs with nine wickets to spare. Needing just six more this time, they only lost one more wicket, to cruise home by eight wickets with almost 22 overs to spare.

It was skipper Dane van Niekerk who put her hand up for the hosts yet again. After scoring a career-high 78 not out in Kimberley, she was at the crease long enough to score 48 not out this time, raising questions as to why she only came into bat at No 7.

There were some useful scores of 27 from Mignon du Preez and 42 from Dinesha Devnarain, but the wickets column constantly held back the hosts, as they mustered 194 all out, one short of their allotted 50 overs.

Marizanne Kapp found an early breakthrough as Natalie Dodd was bowled for one, but another huge partnership was what took it completely away from the Proteas, and it was again Amy Satterthwaite to do the damage, continuing her excellent series after hitting 89 on Thursday.

She smashed 81 this time, off just 71 balls, in a 139-run stand with Rachel Priest, who struck an equally ferocious 67-ball 86. Priest lost her wicket in the 21st over, but Satterthwaite and Katey Martin were able to do the rest comfortably, as they now look to close out the series in the 5th ODI on Wednesday.

Photo of Holly Huddleston: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images