Ferns find form in thumping win
New Zealand’s top-order power hitting propelled them to victory in their Twenty20 international in Mount Maunganui yesterday.
The White Ferns defeated South Africa by nine wickets with 7.4 overs left at Bay Oval after choosing to bowl in the first of five T20s in the series as both sides prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia later this month.
Sophie Devine made short work of her side’s pursuit of 117 for victory with a bold halfcentury.
The new skipper struck four sixes and three fours in her unbeaten 54.
Fellow opener Rachel Priest made 37 off 28 balls, with four sixes and a four, while South Africa managed just 11 fours and a six as a team in their 20 overs.
The visitors paid the price for opting for pace and seam in the powerplay of New Zealand’s reply after the hosts had been most effective with spin. South Africa’s quicks were too short on an easypaced wicket as Priest in particular was able to sit back and pull them for boundaries.
New Zealand’s bowling was inconsistent, with the seam attack being too short and wide too often, but three players stood out – off-spinner Leigh Kasperek mixed her pace well to take 2-17 off four overs, leggie Amelia Kerr was testing and had matching figures while seamer Hayley Jensen (1-18 off four) was tough to punish.
That trio ensured boundaries were rare in the second half of South Africa’s innings as they lost six wickets after reaching the midway stage at 56-1.
While the hosts let themselves down with two dropped chances – Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 35 balls) was dropped on 16 while Nadine de Klerk (23 off 26) was spilled on seven – South Africa’s running between the wickets was poor. Chloe Tryon was run out without facing a ball when she slowed down then got her bat caught in the turf while Mignon du Preez didn’t get her bat grounded properly.
Game two is in Hamilton on Thursday.