South Africa have fought back in the T20 series against the WHITE FERNS, claiming a five wicket win in game three at the Basin Reserve.
WHITE FERNS skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and despite scoring 77 herself, Devine felt her team’s total of 153/5 was a touch short on a good wicket.
The home side’s bowlers fought hard, with both Holly Huddleston and Sophie Devine claiming two wickets a piece while Melie Kerr was economical taking 1-17 from her four overs.
Jess Kerr was also impressive on debut, her three overs only going for 14 runs on her home track.
However, a captain’s knock from Dane van Niekerk (42) and some late strikes from Chloe Tryon (34 off 16) ensured the visitors claimed their first victory in the shortest format.
The T20 series now sits at 2-1 with game four at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.
AS IT HAPPENED...
WHITE FERNS games are a great time! Come join us this weekend in Wellington...
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 8, 2020
🇳🇿 v 🇿🇦 T20I # 3 & # 4 | @BasinReserve | Sunday/Monday February 9/10 | 2pm #NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/RCU9R7Mtot
It’s @kmarty01 having a chat with the lovely @LesleyMurdoch1 on @skysportnz to get us underway on a BEAUTIFUL day at the @BasinReserve 🏏 #NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/jFzuYse36B
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 8, 2020
TOSS NEWS: @sophdevine77 has won it and elected to bat first! Four changes for us 👀 peep the team sheets for details 🏏 #NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/ARydPG7qC0
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
DOUBLE T20 DEBUT! Congrats Lauren Down & Jess Kerr on your T20 debuts today at the @BasinReserve 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
Let’s make it a memorable one! #NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/fL2BpmkD6G
WE ARE GO in T20 THREE here at the @BasinReserve 🏏 Sophie Devine and Rachel Priest opening up for us...#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/hti5jKnTlI
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
Happy dugout after FIVE overs. Solid start from the openers, 34/0 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/DOlGJHiANd
The sun is shining across the Basin with the @WHITE_FERNS batting first against @OfficialCSA 🌞🌞🌞 pic.twitter.com/IIQYcHigfG
— Basin Reserve (@BasinReserve) February 9, 2020
SWINGING HARD! @sophdevine77 deposits the final ball of the 11th over into the stands and takes our total to 77/1 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
Nine overs to go here, what's a good total?!
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/DZ531x4RKu
How does Sophie Devine bring up 50? With a SIX of course!
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/KP0e2B4sIo
SENSATIONAL catch from @OfficialCSA’s Lizelle Lee means Maddy Green has to go for six. Bates has also been runout. Devine (60*) & Down at the crease 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/PT5ydSdzH0
The crowd applaud as @sophdevine77 is dismissed for 77 off 57 balls, superb knock! Katey Martin joins Down with 3.1 overs remaining 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/6lMOYAzijA
Your turn @OfficialCSA 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
WANT TO FOLLOW LIVE? 📲 Download the NZC App to visit our MATCH CENTRE...
CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/UJC4mUZ5t3
OUT on the park and Jess Kerr to open up on T20 debut! Let’s go!
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/FSmcGNeGC2
An early wicket for us but then @OfficialCSA have fought back through Kapp (20*) & Lee (12*) 🏏 This should be an intriguing chase at the @BasinReserve 👍🏽
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/tBkVXcGUPY
#CurrentSituation at the Basin Reserve
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇳🇿 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/s42S5gtdxC
🏁 Halfway in the chase
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🏏 86 runs required
➡️ 60 balls to get them
🇿🇦 LIVE CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation
GAME 3️⃣ is in the BALANCE at the Basin! With 7️⃣ overs remaining, @OfficialCSA require 5️⃣6️⃣ runs for victory. Going to be a nail biter...
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇿🇦 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGvYOX#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/ujy8EJeJgU
Melie Kerr completes here four overs, 1-17 a solid return. It’s going down to the wire here at the @BasinReserve 🏏
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇿🇦 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/UmxroyouWP
FINAL OVER! 😬
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
11 off 6 required...
🇿🇦 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/YRIixYFCRY
The @OfficialCSA batters hold their nerve to win by 5 wickets 🏏 Congrats and we’ll see you tomorrow to do it all again!
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
🇿🇦 CARD | https://t.co/IhfmBGNzGv#NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/fOdNx1GUfo
🗣 “Probably were about 20 runs short with the bat, but full credit to @OfficialCSA they chased well and deserve to win”
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) February 9, 2020
LIVE on @radiosportnz 📻 #NZvSA #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/LHzLx2tDEl