Hosts South Africa secured their first win of the Women’s T20 World Cup and kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive after thrashing New Zealand by 65 runs in Paarl.
South Africa recovered from a shaky start to post 132-6 from their 20 overs, with Chloe Tryon firing 40 from 34 deliveries and Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 28 helping them set a winning target.
Nonkululeko Mlaba (3-10) removed both openers and Tryon (2-12) also impressed with the ball for South Africa, as Marizanne Kapp (2-13) took the final wicket to dismiss New Zealand for 67 in the 19th over.
Victory moves South Africa to third in the Group 1 standings with two matches remaining, with the top-two in the standings progressing to the semi-finals, while a second successive defeat for New Zealand leaves them on the brink of being eliminated.
How South Africa secured key victory
South Africa – batting first after winning the toss – lost Tazmin Brits in the opening over and saw both Kapp (9) and Laura Wolvaardt (13) removed by Lea Tahuhu (2-27).
Captain Sune Luus was run out after a quickfire 22 and Eden Carson (2-25) bowled Delmi Tucker (5) to leave the hosts struggling at 78-5 in the 13th over, before a key 47-run sixth-wicket stand between Tryon and de Klerk helped rebuild South Africa’s innings.
Mlaba dismissed both New Zealand openers without scoring and Kapp removed Georgia Plimmer for seven, while Amelia Kerr (10) was also caught behind off Ayabonga Khaka to leave the visitors reeling on 18-4.
Captain Sophie Devine top-scored with 16 from 28 deliveries and Jess Kerr – one of just three players to reach double-figures – added 11, although wickets continued to tumble cheaply as New Zealand were bowled out with 11 balls to spare.
Sophie Devine top-scored for New Zealand with 16
Devine slams ’embarrassing’ New Zealand loss
New Zealand’s latest heavy loss follows a heavy 97-run defeat to reigning champions Australia in their group opener, with captain Sophie Devine frustrated by their disappointing start to the World Cup.
“They [South Africa] completely outplayed us today and were deserved winners, so congratulations to them,” Devine said. “To be honest, it’s embarrassing, you can’t say much else out apart from that.
“We’ve trained hard, put in all the work behind the scenes and then to come out and perform like that for two games in a row now is simply not good enough in international cricket.
Tuesday 14th February 4:30pm
“I thought it was a competitive score, but we always have the belief that we can chase down any score. We’re going to have some looks in the mirror and some harsh discussions, I think.”
South Africa captain Sune Luus said: “The spinners did a brilliant job tonight. But the supported them as well to finish the job off. It was a brilliant bowling performance by the whole team.”
What’s next?
Saturday 18th February 4:30pm
Tuesday’s sole match at the T20 World Cup sees defending champions Australia play Bangladesh in Gqeberha from 5pm, with the tournament favourites then facing Group 1 leaders Sri Lanka on Thursday.
New Zealand will have their elimination confirmed with defeat against Bangladesh in Cape Town on Friday, while South Africa next play on Saturday evening against Australia in Gqeberha.
The top two teams at the end of the round-robin campaign will progress to the semi-finals, with England – who have won both of their opening two matches – currently top of Group 2.
Watch every match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa live on Sky Sports!
