4th T20I: Esterhuizen shines as SA beat NZ by 19 runs to level series
Wellington, March 22: Wicketkeeper batter Connor Esterhuizen’s half-century, followed by a combined bowling effort from Gerald Coetzee, Ottneil Baartman, Prenelan Subrayen, and Keshav Maharaj, helped South Africa register 19- run win against New Zealand in the fourth T20I of the five-match series played at the Sky Stadium on Sunday.
Batting first, South Africa posted 164/5 on the scoreboard from 20 overs, with Esterhuizen leading the charge with the bat. In reply, New Zealand got bowled out for just 145 in 18.5 overs. With this win, South Africa have levelled the series 2-2, and the decider will be played on March 25 at Hagley Oval.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, South Africa had a poor start as Mulder got out on just the second ball. However, Esterhuizen and Tony De Zorzi built a strong partnership of 81 runs, putting the team in a good position. Esterhuizen reached his fifty in 33 balls during the 10th over.
New Zealand, led by Jimmy Neesham, fought back by taking quick wickets. Esterhuizen was dismissed for 57, while De Zorzi got out after scoring 23 off 21 balls.
Rubin Hermann remained not out on 28, while Jason Smith and Dian Forrester added 19 runs each, helping South Africa reach a competitive total.
Chasing the target, New Zealand had a tough start and could not recover. Tim Robinson was the top scorer with 32, and Dane Cleaver made 26, but the rest of the batters failed to contribute much.
At 76/2 in 8.2 overs, New Zealand were still in the game, but the dismissal of Cleaver led to a collapse. They lost eight wickets for just 69 runs and were eventually all out for 145 in 18.5 overs. (IANS)
4th T20I: Devine, Jess Kerr star as NZ women beat SA to seal series
Wellington, March 22: Jess Kerr’s bowling brilliance, Sophie Devine’s match-winning knock, and skipper Amelia Kerr’s all-round efforts helped New Zealand chase down a competitive total to defeat South Africa by six wickets in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at the Sky Stadium on Sunday.
With the win, the hosts sealed the five-match series 3-1 with with a game to spare.
Opting to bat first, South Africa posted 159/6 in their 20 overs, riding on a late flourish from Annerie Dercksen, who struck a brisk unbeaten 55 off 32 deliveries. The innings began with Chloe Tryon playing a quick cameo, but her early dismissal triggered a phase of consolidation.
Opener Sune Luus held the innings together with a steady 30, adding stability through the middle overs alongside Laura Wolvaardt. However, New Zealand kept striking at regular intervals, with Jess Kerr emerging as the standout performer with the ball, picking up three key wickets to dent the visitors’ progress.
In reply, New Zealand had an early hiccup with the loss of Isabella Gaze, but Georgia Plimmer counterattacked with a fluent 29, setting the tone for the chase. The skipper Amelia Kerr then took charge through a commanding partnership with and Devine who unleashed a series of boundaries and sixes en route to a match-winning 64 off just 34 balls. (IANS)
All-round Aussie women beat WI to take unassailable 2-0 series lead
Saint Vincent, March 22: Alana King delivered another strong performance to underline her return to Australia’s T20I setup, claiming 2-25 as the visitors secured a 17-run victory over the West Indies in the second match to clinch the three-match series with a game to left.
After electing to bat, Australia were off to a brisk start courtesy of Georgia Voll, who set the tone with an attacking 39 off 23. Her innings, studded with six boundaries and a maximum, ensured momentum in the powerplay before she departed on the final delivery of the sixth over.
The innings continued to gather pace even after field restrictions eased, with Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry putting together a 58-run stand for the third wicket. While Litchfield contributed 35 off 29 balls, Perry’s fluent 42 off 28 deliveries kept the scoreboard ticking. Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey played effectively, pushing the total to a competitive 164/5.
In reply, West Indies endured an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out in the fourth over following sharp fielding from Litchfield.
Australia’s bowlers maintained tight control, with Kim Garth leading the effort through an economical spell, well supported by Carey, Darcie Brown and King.
Captain Hayley Matthews launched a counterattack, scoring 56 off 41 balls. However, King turned the tide in Australia’s favour by dismissing Matthews before removing Stephanie Taylor in her following over, effectively derailing West Indies’ hopes. (IANS)
