Devine hits new record for most ODI sixes
No 3 leads way as New Zealand cruise to big win and consolidate top four spot
Sophie Devine smashed the most sixes in a one-day international, as New Zealand took another step towards the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinals, with a commanding eight-wicket win over Pakistan at Taunton.
The No 3 batter yesterday delivered an exemplary array of hitting, scoring 93 from just 41 balls — including seven fours and nine sixes — as New Zealand reached seven points from five outings.
Pakistan became the first side to go out of reckoning for the knockouts, with a fifth straight loss.
Earlier, Hannah Rowe produced a superb World Cup debut to help bowl Pakistan out for 144, showing no nerves with career-best figures of 3-22.
Sana Mir responded with 50 on her 100th ODI appearance for Pakistan, but five White Ferns bowlers were in the wickets in an impressive team display.
“We learnt from our last game, saw how Rachel Priest went about her innings, so hit through the line of the ball and knew it would pay off,” Devine said, after setting the record for most sixes by a woman batter in an ODI innings.
The most sixes by a New Zealander is the 14 hit by Corey Anderson on his way to the fastest century in ODI history in Queenstown on New Year’s Day 2014. He reached triple figures off just 36 balls, although his record was bettered by the 31-ball century of AB de Villiers in 2015, also against the West Indies.
“The sixes record will be nice to look back on, but the most important thing was the win — winning clinically was a bonus,” said Devine. “We know how important run-rate is going to be in this tournament. It’s so tight in those top five teams. To bowl a side out on an absolute road is a huge effort — the bowlers deserve huge credit. They gave us a nice, easy job knocking off the runs.”
Pakistan started solidly with 35 for no wicket, though off-spinner Leigh Kasperek broke through twice with the new ball.
From there, Rowe stole the show, becoming the third bowler in three New Zealand games to be on a hat-trick, after dismissing Javeria Wadood and Marina Iqbal with successive balls, both lbw.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Rowe. “My mum and dad were here, and a couple of my flatmates, so it was pretty awesome to have that support from home.
“I was stoked to get out there. I’ve been going through a few changes with my bowling, been working with Jacob Oram and it’s coming through.
“I think every pace bowler wants the new ball, and I’m certainly putting it in the right areas and looking forward to more.”
Sana’s half-century from 83 balls held together the innings, but wickets tumbled, as Lea Tahuhu, playing her 50th ODI, picked up two, while teenage leg-spinner Amelia Kerr also collected a couple.
That left New Zealand chasing 145, with Devine hitting her straps soon after Priest’s dismissal, reaching 50 from 27 balls, the second-fastest of the World Cup so far.
She showed no signs of stopping, beating the previous six-hitting record of seven in one innings, but fell late on to Nashra Sundhu, though the White Ferns eased home with 35 overs remaining.
“We didn’t have a good performance in either department,” admitted Sana. “We’ve taken a lot of pressure, but we can bounce back in the next two matches.
“Sophie Devine was phenomenal and we have to give her the credit with the way she played. She really punished the good and bad balls, and there’s not much you can do with that.
“This type of game doesn’t go well with milestones, but it’s been an honour serving Pakistan. It’s a great moment reaching 100 appearances and I’m very thankful.”