NZ-W vs SA-W 4th T20I: Devine, Jess Kerr guide New Zealand to series win

Match Overview

Sophie Devine’s all-round brilliance gave New Zealand a six-wicket win in Wellington and an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series with a game to go against South Africa. Playing her 150th T20I, Devine slammed a 34-ball 64 with six fours and four sixes to help her team pull off their second-highest chase in the format with nine balls unused.

There were some critical supporting acts too: Amelia Kerr managed 31 off 29, while being in two crucial partnerships in the chase, adding 48 for the second wicket with Georgia Plimmer before 46 for the third with Devine. This was after the hosts lost opener Isabella Gaze in the third over to Annerie Dercksen.

Plimmer looked fluent in her 22-ball 29, including five fours, four of which came on the trot against Dercksen, before Chloe Tryon had her stumped to break the partnership. But Devine took matters into her hands from that point, displaying her full range and experience to test the visiting bowling line-up. Devine and Kerr were seemingly running away with the game when Tryon had the latter caught in the 14th over.

That made little difference for Devine, who continued on her merry ways, picking a six and four off Masabata Klaas in the subsequent over with Brooke Halliday (16 off 12) lending good support. Devine eventually perished to the left-arm spin of Nonkululeko Mlaba in the 18th over, but the fate of the game was sealed long ago.

Earlier, South Africa reached 159 for 6 after opting to bat, riding largely on the back of Dercksen’s boundary-laced half-century. South Africa had lost Tryon in the powerplay for 14 as Jess Kerr pinned her lbw as the decision to promote her as an opener failed. Jess returned to dismiss Laura Wolvaardt for 10 off 17 as her quiet series continued.

In between, the other Kerr, Amelia, had Sune Luus stumped for 30 off 29, varying her pace and making full use of her experience of playing in Wellington. Meanwhile, Jess had her third when she saw the back of Tazmin Brits in the 14th over, reducing the visitors to 89 for 4. Nadine de Klerk (20 off 14) hung around for a bit around Dercksen, but fell to Devine towards the fag end of the innings. Jess was the pick of the bowlers, bowling 14 dots and returning 3 for 16.

Top run-scorer of the match

Top wicket-taker of the match

Player of the match

Jess Kerr

Jess Kerr was the finest bowler on either side, returning 3 for 16 with 14 dots in her full quota of overs. She dismissed Tryon, skipper Wolvaardt and Brits. 

What the captains said

Winning Team Captain, Amelia Kerr (NZ-W)

"Pleasing to win this series. Soph was outstanding. Intent from the whole team has been outstanding. To win with more than an over to spare was outstanding. (On Jess and Mair) Both outstanding. Jess was outstanding today. Her ability to swing the ball makes it difficult to play. For us, we want to keep building and growing, and be ruthless to win games for your country. Our energy and intent (in the field) has been outstanding, but something we can look to improve on and something we train for. (On the crowd) Wellington is an outstanding city - they know how to support sport and especially women's sport. We love having them here."

Losing Team Captain, Laura Wolvaardt (SA-W)  

"We thought it was a par total, very pleased with the score we got to, despite our start. Tough second half. When you give chances to batters like Devine, you are going to regret it. (On if the venue played a part in the dropped catches) It is a lovely place to play cricket. They were chances we back ourselves to take wherever we are. Lot to learn from, lot to discuss on where we can be better. Going to have to go back to the drawing board, be better and have that World Cup in mind."