ISLAMABAD: Tazmin Brits struck her fifth century of the year to guide South Africa to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the Women’s World Cup at Holkar Stadium on Monday.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings got off to a disastrous start. Suzie Bates was dismissed for a golden duck by Marizanne Kapp on the very first ball of the match.
Georgia Plimmer (31) and Meli Kerr (23) managed to steady the ship, adding 44 runs for the second wicket before Kerr fell. Plimmer then combined with Sophie Devine for a 57-run partnership.
Devine, who had scored a century in New Zealand’s opening match, scored 85 runs off 68 balls, including a half-century. She and Brooke Halliday (45) forged the best partnership of the innings, adding 86 runs together.
However, the introduction of Nonkululeko Mlaba turned the tide. Mlaba took key wickets in her second spell, triggering a collapse as New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for just 44 runs, including two run-outs.
Mlaba finished with figures of 4-40 from 10 overs, the best by a South African bowler against New Zealand in a World Cup.
New Zealand was bowled out for 231 in 49.4 overs.
South Africa’s chase began with an early setback, losing Laura Wolvaardt for 14. However, Brits took charge, racing to 50 off 44 balls. She and Sune Luus then put together a record-breaking 159-run partnership for the second wicket, the highest in South African World Cup history and the second-highest in ODIs against New Zealand.
Brits brought up her century with a knock of 101 from 89 balls, surpassing Australia’s Meg Lanning to score seven ODI hundreds in the fewest innings.
Luus, who played a patient knock, finished unbeaten on 83 off 114 balls, guiding South Africa to victory. Brits was dismissed in the 32nd over, and Kerr struck twice to reduce South Africa to 213-4. But Luus ensured there were no further hiccups, hitting the winning runs with 55 balls to spare.
South Africa reached 234-4 in 40.5 overs to secure their first win and points of the tournament after their opening loss, when they were bowled out for just 69. The victory moved South Africa up to fifth place in the standings.
