MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer struck crucial half-centuries to guide New Zealand to an 80-run victory over the Proteas Women on Sunday in Tauranga.
Kerr recorded 11 fours and two sixes on her way to a 44-ball 78, supported by Plimmer’s career-best of 63 off 44 balls (5 fours, 3 sixes) as the home side posted 190/7. In response, South Africa was restricted to 110/7, with Sophie Devine taking her best figures of four for 12.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Despite losing a wicket with the first ball of the innings after Nadine de Klerk ran out Izzy Gaze (0), the hosts recovered well through Plimmer and Kerr, racing to 61/1 at the end of the powerplay.
The pair continued to find boundaries with ease as both batters brought up their half-centuries, sharing a 146-run stand for the second wicket before Masabata Klaas (2/15) broke the partnership by dismissing Kerr.
That wicket gave the Proteas Women a route back into the contest in the second half of the innings, as Nonkululeko Mlaba (1/29), Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka (1/37) and de Klerk (2/32) combined to slow the White Ferns’ surge, ensuring the hosts finished just short of the 200-run mark.
In reply, South Africa struggled to find their rhythm at the crease, with Tazmin Brits (29), Kayla Reyneke (24) and de Klerk (19) the main contributors in a difficult outing for the visitors. Their efforts were overshadowed by the New Zealand bowlers, with Jess Kerr (2/13) and Devine striking at regular intervals to seal a commanding win in the first of the five-match T20I series.
The second encounter will take place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday, 17 March.
Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against New Zealand
Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Fixtures (all times local)
2nd T20I Tuesday, 17 March – Seddon Park, Hamilton
WHITE FERNS vs Proteas Women at 14:45
3rd T20I Friday, 20 March – Eden Park, Auckland
WHITE FERNS vs Proteas Women at 14:45
4th T20I Sunday, 22 March – Hnry Stadium, Wellington
WHITE FERNS vs Proteas Women at 14:45
5th T20I Sunday, 25 March – Hagley Oval, Christchurch
WHITE FERNS vs Proteas Women at 14:45
Source: cricket.co.za
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