South Africa cruises to win to wrap up series
WELLINGTON: South Africa has taken an unassailable 20 lead in the threematch oneday series against the White Ferns.
South Africa won game two at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday by eight wickets.
Batting first, the home team could muster just 115.
Marizanne Kapp's four for 29 restricted New Zealand to a belowpar total, Suzie Bates topscoring with 38.
Opener Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus and Mignon du Preez then combined to chase down the target within 24 overs.
Opting to bat, the White
Ferns were jolted by fast bowler Kapp's early strikes, as they lost their openers inside the first five overs for just 12 runs.
Bates, at No 3, fought with a 60ball 38 to lead a recovery but received little or no support from the other end as the procession continued.
Sophie Devine and Katie Perkins fell short of their creases, departing for nine and nought respectively, following which a brief 47run resistance between Bates and Katey Martin followed.
After the partnership was broken by Dane van Niekerk, Ayabonga Khaka hurt the home side further with a double strike in the 24th over to remove Bates and Amelia Kerr.
Kapp returned to dismiss Leigh Kasperek and Jess Kerr to finish with four wickets and leave the White Ferns at 108 for nine.
The lastwicket pair could add only seven more runs to the total as Masabata Klaas had Hayley Jensen caught behind.
In reply, Devine dismissed opener Laura Wolvaardt for a duck but Lee continued her fine form with a 43ball 38 while, at the other end, Luus made 37 not out as South Africa cruised towards the target.
Du Preez joined Luus after Lee's dismissal as the pair put up an unbroken 60run stand and secured an easy win for the visiting team.
Game three is in Hamilton on Thursday. — RNZ/Cricinfo