New Zealand have won the seven-match ODI series 5-2 after beating the Proteas Women by 126 runs at Boland Park in Paarl.
Half-centuries by Katie Martin (81) and Amy Satterthwaite (53) as well as 46 runs from Maddy Green saw the visitors post a hefty 273-7 at the end of their innings. Ayabonga Khaka and Moseline Daniels made the most impact with the ball, taking a respective 2-37 and 2-45.
South Africa’s batting reply was fraught with tumbling wickets. Openers Lizelle Lee and Andrie Steyn managed 35 before the latter was run out for eight in the sixth over. Lee (22) lost her wicket off the next delivery, leaving their side on 35-2. They lost a further five wickets for just 17 runs, seeing the home side reeling on 84-7 in the 26th over.
There was not much that the tail could do, but a 26-run, eighth-wicket stand between Ayabonga Khaka (15) and Odine Kirsten (22*) saw them move their side past the 100-run mark. Kirsten also led a 29-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Masabatha Klaas (15), but South Africa were ultimately dismissed for 147 runs, giving the White Ferns a satisfying win in the end.
The one positive to have come out of the match is that Mignon du Preez passed 2 000 ODI runs, becoming South Africa’s all-time leading run-scorer in the process.
The team’s next assignment is a five-match series in Australia against the world champions. The first three matches will form part of the ICC Women’s Cricket Championship.
Australia have already won and are the first side to qualify for the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Photo: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
