New Zealand Women produced a composed and clinical chase to outplay South Africa Women in the 4th T20I at Wellington, sealing the contest with six wickets in hand and nine balls to spare in what turned out to be an engaging clash in the ongoing South Africa Women tour of New Zealand 2026. The match ebbed and flowed with crucial partnerships, timely breakthroughs, and a defining innings from Sophie Devine that ultimately tilted the balance.
South Africa Women’s innings began with a steady but cautious approach after being put into bat. The early breakthrough came at 21/1 in 2.4 overs when Chloe Tryon (14 off 8) fell after a brisk cameo, setting the tone for a slightly stuttering powerplay. A vital rebuilding phase followed as Sune Luus anchored the innings with a measured 30 off 29 balls, stitching a crucial 33-run partnership with skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
However, Wolvaardt struggled for fluency, managing just 10 off 17 before becoming Jess Kerr’s second victim, leaving South Africa at 58/3 in 9.1 overs. The innings found momentum through a standout partnership between Sune Luus and Annerie Dercksen, who played a brilliant counter-attacking knock.
After Luus departed at 54/2, Dercksen took charge, smashing 55* off 32 balls with 8 fours and a six, accelerating the scoring rate significantly. She was well-supported by Nadine de Klerk, who contributed a quick 20 off 14 balls in a 44-run stand that pushed South Africa past the 130-mark. Late cameos from Kayla Reyneke (13 off 8) ensured a strong finish as South Africa Women posted 159/6 in 20 overs.
New Zealand’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Jess Kerr, who delivered an impressive spell of 3/16 in her four overs, consistently breaking partnerships at key moments. Amelia Kerr chipped in with 1/32, while Sophie Devine also claimed a wicket, maintaining control through the middle overs. Though Rosemary Mair and Lea Tahuhu went wicketless, they contributed with pressure in phases despite being slightly expensive.
Chasing 160, New Zealand Women had a shaky start as Isabella Gaze fell early at 9/1 in 2.1 overs. However, Georgia Plimmer (29 off 22) and Amelia Kerr (31 off 29) steadied the innings with a composed 48-run partnership, laying a solid foundation. Plimmer’s fluent strokeplay kept the scoreboard ticking before she was dismissed at 57/2 in 7.5 overs, shifting the responsibility onto the experienced Devine.
Sophie Devine then took control of the chase with a commanding innings, showcasing power-hitting and composure under pressure. She built a crucial 46-run partnership with Amelia Kerr, who fell at 103/3 in 13.1 overs. Devine, however, continued her onslaught, finding boundaries at will and maintaining a high strike rate. Even after her dismissal for a match-defining 64 off 34 balls at 149/4 in 17.1 overs, the job was nearly done.
Brooke Halliday (16* off 12) and Maddy Green (9* off 6) calmly finished the chase, guiding New Zealand Women to 160/4 in 18.3 overs and securing a convincing victory. For South Africa Women, Chloe Tryon was the standout with the ball, picking up 2 wickets for just 13 runs in her 3 overs, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Annerie Dercksen grabbed one wicket each. However, the rest of the bowling unit, including Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk, struggled to contain the flow of runs during crucial phases.
Loves all things female cricket