Auckland, March 20 – Sophie Devine's unbeaten 55, combined with brilliant bowling, led New Zealand to a six-wicket victory over South Africa in the third T20I at Eden Park on Friday, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with two games remaining.
After choosing to bat first, the Proteas women were restricted to 149/7, with Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates each taking two wickets. In response, Devine's half-century led the chase, supported by Amelia Kerr (30) and Maddy Green (34), as the hosts reached the target in 18.4 overs, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
Batting first, South Africa had a disastrous start, being reduced to 9/2 within three overs when Rosemary Mair dismissed opener Tazmin Brits in the second over, and Jess Kerr joined the attack in the next over to dismiss Sune Luus.
Annerie Dercksen and captain Laura Wolvaardt put together a crucial 51-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilizing the innings after early setbacks. However, the partnership was broken by Sophie Devine, who dismissed Dercksen for 27.
Then, Suzie Bates dismissed Chloe Tryon, and Sophie Devine dismissed Nadine de Klerk, leaving the visitors at 101/5 after 15 overs, putting them in a difficult situation.
Kayla Reyneke (34 not out off 20) provided late momentum in the final overs, hitting two sixes and a four straight down the ground in the last over, helping South Africa reach 149/7.
Chasing 150, New Zealand lost their openers Georgia Plimmer (4) and Isabella Gaze (17) in the powerplay. Devine and Amelia then put together a 30-run partnership for the third wicket. However, South Africa tightened the screws, and the wickets of Amelia Kerr and Brooke Halliday in the 10th over put the chase in a tense situation. New Zealand needed 82 off 60 balls with six wickets in hand. Devine had scored 13 off 10 balls.
But Sophie Devine and Maddy Green signaled a shift in momentum with an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket. When the partnership reached 50, Green had only scored 12 off 15 balls, while Devine did most of the scoring from the other end. She maintained this dominance, and New Zealand finished the chase with six wickets in hand and eight balls to spare.