In the SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI at Pietermaritzburg’s City Oval, South Africa has clinched the ODI series against New Zealand Women by 2-0. South Africa won the toss and made the decision to bowl first. NZ-W have managed to sum up a total of 253 runs after 49.5 overs as the whole team was bowled by SA-W bowlers. In a closely fought match, South African women steadily pursued New Zealand’s target with key contributions from Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus.
South Africa Women (SA-W) displayed their batting prowess to chase down New Zealand Women’s target of 257 runs. SA-W’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, emerged as the star of the innings, crafting a remarkable century by accumulating 123 runs from 140 deliveries. Her outstanding batting skills and leadership were instrumental in securing the victory for her team. Wolvaardt received crucial support from Marizanne Kapp, who contributed 41 runs from 48 balls, forming an unbroken partnership that steered SA-W to victory. This match held immense significance within the three-match ODI series, following South Africa’s impressive performance in the series opener.
Match Preview: SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI, NZ-W tour of South Africa 2023
In the preceding match, South Africa showcased their exceptional bowling capabilities by successfully limiting New Zealand to a total of 235/8. Standout performances emerged from Masabata Klaas and Nadine de Klerk with the ball.
Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s captain, made a crucial contribution with the bat by notching up a determined half-century. However, it was Chloe Tryon’s explosive 71-run innings and Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 58 that ultimately secured a hard-fought victory for South Africa, clinching it with four wickets in hand and 17 balls to spare.
Historical Head-to-Head Record: NZ-W Holds a Slight Advantage
The head-to-head record between these two teams slightly leans in favor of New Zealand, boasting 11 wins compared to South Africa’s 7 victories in their 18 encounters. This statistic sets the stage for an exciting battle as South Africa endeavors to level the series.
City Oval Pitch Debut: Uncertainty Adds to the Drama
The City Oval in Pietermaritzburg is hosting its inaugural women’s ODI, which adds an element of unpredictability to the contest. In past men’s ODIs at this venue, the average first-innings score hovered around 218 runs. Given the relative unfamiliarity with the pitch, South Africa, having won the toss, opted to bowl first to assess the pitch’s characteristics. The pitch is expected to maintain its consistency throughout the match, making initial observations crucial.
Key Players Under the Spotlight
As the series hangs in the balance, all eyes will be on key players. Suzie Bates, a seasoned campaigner for New Zealand, will be closely monitored after a run-out saw her dismissed for just one run in the previous match.
Bates has a track record of consistency in white-ball cricket this year, and New Zealand will rely on her to play a pivotal role in this crucial encounter. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk, in outstanding form with the ball, will be counted on by Captain Laura Wolvaardt to both stem the flow of runs in the middle overs and deliver crucial breakthroughs for her team.
This match represents a do-or-die situation for both sides, with each aiming to secure a vital victory. The live broadcast of this thrilling clash between SA-W and NZ-W can be followed on Sony Sports Network.
Live Updates – SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI
SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI Scorecard 2023
South Africa Women Batting Scorecard
New Zealand Women Bowling Scorecard
Captain Laura Wolvaardt’s Fourth ODI Century Steers SA-W to Victory
In this high-stakes cricket clash, the South Africa Women’s team (SA-W) showcased their batting prowess by amassing a formidable total of 221/3 in 40 overs. The standout moment of the innings came courtesy of their captain, Laura Wolvaardt, who delivered a masterful performance, achieving her fourth century in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Wolvaardt’s century, characterized by impeccable shot selection and graceful stroke play, not only demonstrated her leadership qualities but also set a strong foundation for SA-W’s pursuit of victory. This innings, supported by a crucial partnership with Marizanne Kapp, took center stage in the match, establishing Wolvaardt as a pivotal figure in this thrilling encounter.
On the bowling front, AC Kerr showcased remarkable control and economy, delivering 8 tight overs without claiming any wickets. In contrast, HM Rowe emerged as the sole wicket-taker for the New Zealand Women’s team, securing a crucial breakthrough. Rowe’s disciplined bowling performance limited her to conceding just 32 runs in her 5-over spell.
However, it’s important to note that New Zealand Women’s fielding unit endured numerous missed opportunities, with fielders dropping several catches. These fielding lapses added to their challenges, allowing South Africa Women to capitalize on those chances and solidify their commanding position in the match. Laura Wolvaardt’s exceptional century and New Zealand Women’s fielding struggles ultimately defined the encounter, strengthening SA-W’s prospects of securing victory against their opponents.
Tightly Contested Battle: South Africa Women’s Steady Chase Against New Zealand
Between the 20th and 30th overs of South Africa Women’s innings, the cricketing action witnessed an engaging battle between the batsmen and bowlers. Laura Wolvaardt emerged as the standout performer for South Africa, demonstrating remarkable composure and shot selection on her way to an impressive 74 runs from 86 deliveries.
Her partnership with Sune Luus, who contributed a crucial 53 runs, provided stability and momentum to the innings, serving as the cornerstone of South Africa’s pursuit of the 254-run target set by New Zealand Women. Marizanne Kapp’s brisk start further bolstered their efforts as they chased down the target.
In the bowling department, LMM Tahuhu spearheaded New Zealand’s attack with distinction, securing two important wickets while maintaining control over her bowling. AC Kerr’s disciplined bowling, conceding a mere 26 runs in her 6-over spell, added pressure on the South African batters.
EJ Carson also played a significant role in sustaining New Zealand’s bowling rhythm, although she did not manage to take any wickets. As the match progressed, the equilibrium between the two sides remained delicately poised, with South Africa Women needing to maintain their partnerships and employ measured aggression to secure victory, while New Zealand Women aimed to disrupt their momentum and defend their target effectively.
Wolvaardt’s Resilience and Luus’s Support Anchor South Africa’s Innings
Between overs 10 to 20 of South Africa Women’s innings, their batting exhibited determination and consistency following the early loss of two wickets. Laura Wolvaardt emerged as a central figure, moving closer to a half-century with a well-structured 49 runs from 57 deliveries. Her adeptness in finding gaps and effectively rotating the strike was evident, and she formed a crucial partnership alongside Sune Luus, contributing a significant 78 runs for the third wicket. Luus played a vital complementary role, accumulating 33 runs off 37 balls. This partnership not only stabilized South Africa’s innings but also maintained a consistent scoring rate during this phase, establishing a robust base for their pursuit.
In terms of bowling, New Zealand Women’s bowlers applied pressure but encountered resilient opposition from the South African pair. HM Rowe distinguished herself by securing the dismissal of Lara Goodall, while AC Kerr and EJ Carson demonstrated economical spells. Despite initial challenges, South Africa Women managed to recover their footing and establish a sense of stability in their innings. As the innings progresses, South Africa will look to build upon this foundation, emphasizing partnerships and an enhanced run rate as they strive to approach the target of 254 runs set by New Zealand Women in the later stages of the match.
Wolvaardt’s Resilient Knock Amidst Early Wickets in South Africa’s Innings
During the initial 10 overs of South Africa Women’s innings, they posted a total of 55 runs while losing 2 wickets. The standout performance came from Laura Wolvaardt, who displayed composure and skill in her innings of 25 runs from 27 balls.
This provided stability to the team, although the early dismissal of Tazmin Brits for 17 runs was a setback. The New Zealand Women’s bowlers, notably HM Rowe, applied pressure by taking crucial wickets and maintaining economical bowling spells. The early exit of Lara Goodall with just 3 runs added to the pressure on South Africa. To reach the challenging target of 254 runs set by New Zealand, South Africa must focus on building partnerships and increasing the run rate.
Regarding the bowling performance, HM Rowe’s contribution stood out as she secured a wicket and conceded only 13 runs in her 2-over spell, disrupting South Africa’s early momentum. SFM Devine and LMM Tahuhu also delivered disciplined bowling, forcing the South African batters to play cautiously and limiting their boundary opportunities.
The New Zealand bowlers demonstrated precision in their line and length, making it challenging for the South African batsmen to score freely. As the innings unfold, South Africa Women will need to strike a balance between consolidating partnerships and accelerating the scoring rate to keep up with the required run rate, given the target of 254 runs remains a distant goal.
NZ-W Batting Scorecard – SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI
SA-W Bowling Scorecard – SA-W vs NZ-W 2nd ODI
New Zealand Women’s Late Surge Meets South African Bowling Resilience
During the pivotal stretch from overs 40 to 49.5 in the New Zealand Women’s innings, the contest intensified as both batting and bowling sides fiercely battled. This period featured a determined display from the Kiwi batswomen, especially Hannah Rowe and Leigh Kasperek, who exhibited strong resolve in guiding their team towards a competitive total. The partnership between Rowe and Kasperek, which contributed a crucial 46 runs, offered hope to New Zealand as they aimed to set a challenging target for South Africa.
However, South Africa’s bowlers, led by the impressive Nadine de Klerk, stepped up with accurate and well-planned wicket-taking deliveries. De Klerk’s significant contributions, including the dismissals of Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Eden Carson, disrupted New Zealand’s efforts to accelerate their scoring rate. The late wickets in the final over, particularly those of Carson and Rowe, underscored South Africa’s resilience and skill when facing pressure situations. This phase of the game laid the foundation for an exciting contest where every run and wicket played a critical role in determining the match’s outcome.
Rapid Wicket Fall Shifts Momentum: Mlaba’s Brilliance Dents NZ-W
In the middle overs of their innings, New Zealand Women experienced a sudden collapse, losing crucial wickets in quick succession. After a solid partnership between Amelia Kerr and AC Kerr, the Kiwis looked well set at 176/3 after 34 overs. However, South African bowlers, particularly Nonkululeko Mlaba and Masabata Klaas, applied immense pressure, leading to a series of rapid dismissals.
The turning point was the wicket of Brooke Halliday, who fell for just 1 run, bowled by Ayabonga Khaka. Soon after, Georgia Plimmer was also dismissed for a mere 1 run, becoming another victim of Mlaba’s sharp bowling. Maddy Green, who had been holding the innings together, was then caught and bowled by Mlaba for a valuable 43 runs. These quick wickets saw New Zealand’s middle-order crumble, leaving them at 184/7. The pressure was mounting, and the fall of wickets disrupted their momentum significantly.
It was only through some resilient batting by the lower order, primarily by HM Rowe and JM Kerr, that New Zealand Women managed to reach a total of 193/7 at the end of their innings. This rapid fall of wickets during the middle overs showcased the effectiveness of the South African bowlers in creating pressure and seizing control of the game momentarily.
Overall, the New Zealand Women’s batting effort was characterized by partnerships and resilient performances from their top-order batters. However, the South African bowlers managed to chip away at regular intervals, preventing New Zealand from posting an even bigger total. As the innings progressed, the match appeared finely poised, with both teams having their moments. The outcome will likely be determined by the performance of the bowlers and the ability of the South African Women’s team to chase down the target set by New Zealand Women in this exciting encounter.
Crucial Wickets Impact New Zealand’s Innings Acceleration
In the 10-20 overs of New Zealand’s women’s batting innings, there was a noticeable increase in their run-scoring rate, pushing their total to 82/2 after 20 overs. AC Kerr played a crucial role in anchoring the innings, finishing unbeaten with 36 runs off 67 balls, demonstrating her patience and composure.
On the other hand, ML Green contributed 13 runs at a faster pace, signaling an intention to pick up the scoring rate. The pivotal dismissal of Sophie Devine, who scored 12 runs, was a significant breakthrough for South Africa, thanks to M Klaas. While the partnership between AC Kerr and Suzie Bates initially provided a solid foundation, losing Bates, who scored 14 runs from 29 balls, was a setback for New Zealand. Despite the slow start, New Zealand seems to be targeting a competitive total, and the next phase of their innings is likely to focus on accelerating the run rate further.
New Zealand’s Cautious Start: 16/0 in First Five Overs
During the first five overs of New Zealand’s batting innings, they adopted a careful and deliberate strategy, accumulating a total of 16 runs without experiencing any wicket losses. The opening partnership between AC Kerr and SW Bates was marked by cautious batting, as they collected runs primarily through singles and the occasional extra delivery.
Both Kerr and Bates encountered difficulty in finding the boundary, with no fours or sixes registered during this period, thanks to the disciplined South African bowling led by M Kapp and A Khaka. While AC Kerr managed to achieve 11 runs from 18 deliveries, SW Bates contributed 3 runs from 12 balls. Amelia Kerr, who came in as the first-down batswoman, faced just one ball and added a single run to the team’s total.
Despite the absence of aggressive shot-making, New Zealand seemed focused on constructing a strong platform for their innings, and the fact that they did not lose any wickets in the initial five overs is a positive sign of their stability at this early stage of the match.