Non-Kululeko Mlaba took four Wickets and Tazmin British hit a solid century when South Africa rode a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in their World Cup competition for women in the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The decision of the New -Zeeland captain Sophie Devine to batten for the first time, because the batting unit of her team could deliver 231 runs before he was excluded in 47.5 overs.
Devine TopScored for the white ferns with an anchoring 85 out of 98 deliveries, lined with nine boundaries.
She was involved in useful partnerships with Brooke Halliday (45) and Georgia Plimmer (31), who were the other remarkable runters for New Zealand.
Mlaba was the striking bowler for South Africa and took four wickets for only 40 points in her 10 overs, while Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp crumbled with one strike per piece.
In response, South Africa comfortably pursued the 322-run target for the loss of four wickets and 55 balls.
The Proteas, however, had a contrasting start of the chase when Jess Kerr’s captain, Laura Wolvaart (14), turned off in the third with 26 runs on the board.
After the early setback, Sune Luus joined British in the middle and the duo anchored the Run-Achtervolging with a 159-run partnership for the second Wicket.
British, who was the core agroof of the position, was eventually rejected by Lea Tahuhu in the 32nd, shortly after she had gathered her seventh century.
The right-handed batter remained the top scorer for South Africa with 101 out of 89 deliveries, strewn with 15 four and a six.
After her resignation, South Africa lost two more wickets – Kapp (14) and Anneke Bosch (Zero) – quickly in succession, but Luus remained sturdy and made sure that they sent over the line without further damage.
She contributed with an unbeaten 83 of 114 deliveries, peppered with 10 four and a six.
For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr claimed two wickets, but gave 62 points in her 10 overs, while Jess and Tahuhu could grab one each.
The six-wicket victory raised South Africa to fifth position in the ICC World Cricket World Cup 2025 classification with two points in two games, while New Zealand collapsed at seventh place after two defeats in so many matches.
