South Africa vs New Zealand, Women's T20 World Cup Highlights: South Africa bounced back from their loss in the first match of the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 65-run victory over New Zealand, pushing the White Ferns to the brink of elimination after their second straight loss in the competition.
Chasing 132 for the win, the opening pair of Bernadine Bezuidenhout and Suzie Bates lost their wickets for a duck for the second consecutive match in a row. Both fell to the prowess of spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba, who took the wickets of the New Zealand openers in consecutive overs for her team.
It happened against Australia in the first game, and once more, against the Proteas. By the 10th over, they were 31/5, with the likes of Amelia Kerr (10 off 12) and skipper Sophie Devine, who was New Zealand's top scorer at 16 runs in 26 balls.
Once Devine was sent back to the pavilion, it was easy picking for the South Africans, who dismissed their opponents for 67 runs. Jess Kerr tried to accost a late comeback but to no avail, after Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon's four wickets between each other, and, Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka got a wicket each.
Earlier, Tryon scored 40 runs to help the hosts to 132 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat. It was carnage on the top order with only Laura Wolvaardt scoring regularly, before losing her wicket to the bowling on Lea Tahuhu for 13 runs.
Captain Sune Luus and Tryon held on to a brief 33-run partnership before Luus was run out for 22. Tryon kept the scoreboard ticking and her 40 off 34 was eventually more than enough for her to see South Africa to victory.
The proteas are third in Group 1, and will next meet Australia on February 18. Meanwhile, New Zealand will play Bangladesh on February 17 to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
