Mission accomplished for the WHITE FERNS after nailing the first series of the summer!
New Zealand’s top women’s team took out the historic first-ever ODI series in South Africa between these two countries 5-2 and were thrilled to see Amy Satterthwaite named Player of the Series. Satterthwaite scored the most runs AND took the most wickets with her off-spin — the double achieved with her final two strikes that wrapped up the final ODI win. Shot Branch!
Player of the series Amy Satterthwaite. Image: Photosport
MOST ODI RUNS ON TOUR
Amy Satterthwaite. 344 ODI runs at 66.80. High score 89*, strike rate 85+. If we include the opening tour match, in total Amy tallied 416 runs at a top-drawer average of 83.20
South Africa’s Mignon du Preez with 232 at 33.14
South African captain Dané van Niekerk with 22 at 55.50
WHITE FERNS captain Suzie Bates 182 at 36.40, high score an unbeaten 82. Also started to rock her toss game towards the end!
Katey Martin, 170 runs at 42.50, high score 81 and an 83+ strike rate.
MOST ODI WICKETS ON TOUR
Amy Satterthwaite. 11 wickets at 15.72 with an economy rate of just 2.94 and best bowling figures 4-13
South African seamer Ayabonga Khaka with 11 at 20.81. Best 3-27
Holly Huddleston, 10 wickets from five matches at 14.90 with a standout haul of 5-25
Erin Bermingham’s the second spinner in these charts with nine wickets at 16.44, economy rate 2.73
Morna Nielsen makes it three for the spinners with eight wickets, a best of 5-39 and economy 2.86
Lea Tahuhu also grabbed eight Ws with her pace, 3-41 her best at an average of 26.62
Holly Huddleston. Image: Photosport
Hitting the ground running in hot, unfamiliar conditions where no one had played before to win two out of three IWC points games also meant the WHITE FERNS succeeded in stretching their overall IWC lead over South Africa and the rest of the chasing pack — very important with all teams looking to lock down a top-four automatic qualification spot for next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in England. 
The players now gets to recover from jet lag for a few days, then it’s straight back to business as we get set to host Pakistan in what’s going to be another historic bilateral first — from 9 November, five ODIs with a T20 to finish. First three matches at Lincoln’s Bert Sutcliffe Oval, last three at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.
WHITE FERNS v Pakistan tour schedule — follow on social with hashtag #WFvPAK
Meantime, here’s our verdict from a really competitive, thrilling and productive series in South Africa. Planning towards the World Cup is certainly tracking nicely. We’ve got more depth and some serious competition for spots, and can take lots of heart from performing so strongly in South Africa — and this despite not having the big talents of Sophie Devine and Leigh Kasperek for this tour.
Get around the WHITE FERNS when New Zealand takes on Pakistan — it’s a great chance to experience the excitement of international cricket because entry to all WHITE FERNS matches is FREE.
WHITE FERNS South Africa TOUR AWARDS
Best individual performance on tour
Amy Satterthwaite’s 4-13 in the first ODI. The team was defending 127 and Satterthwaite helped sort it out as New Zealand took the last five wickets for zero runs. That’s what you call a total game-changer.
Most valuable partnership
Amy Satterthwaite and Suzie Bates’ unbeaten stand of 174 to win, chasing 188/9 as the team won the third ODI by nine wickets.
Most memorable wicket
The last wicket taken in the first match — Amy Satterthwaite bowling and Nat Dodd taking a diving catch to her right to win the match while defending that low total of 127. Best comeback by a WHITE FERNS team.
Catch of the series
We go to the seventh ODI and Thamsyn Newton, fielding at mid-off. South Africa’s Lizelle Lee had been whacking the ball to all parts. She tried to hit Lea Tahuhu over the top and the ball flew extremely high over Thamsyn’s head, but she ran backwards and made a lot of ground to take a fantastic catch falling backwards.
Most audacious shot
Skipper Suzie Bates takes it out for her impromptu impersonation of Mark Richardson playing a shot while cramp was shotgunning through the ol’ leg. Brilliant to watch on replay!!
Biggest six
For South Africa, caps off to Lizelle Lee — one of her sixes was enormous. She can go a big ball! For us, Suzie Bates moving her feet to hit a spinner over long on. Great shot.
Batsman of the series
Amy Satterthwaite — fantastic series.
Bowler of the series
Yep, Amy again for taking 11 wickets. Making this extra special is the fact that she would not have bowled as much had Leigh Kasperek not been injured early doors — so in the context of the situation, Amy not only bowled extremely well, but stepped up.
Fielder of the series
Natalie Dodd. When she got an opportunity, Nat mainly fielded at point and saved a lot of runs. Her dive-stops were outstanding!
Most improved player
Katey Martin improved a lot over the series and really stood up with the bat at the end of the series, twice winning player of the match
Most challenging opponent
Mignon du Preez, the former captain, played consistently well all tour. With the ball, Marizanne Kapp was relentless — quality bowler.
Best day off
According to the team, it’s a tie between the team safari adventure — “amazing!” — and their trip up Cape Town’s famous Table Mountain. Check out their fave photos on tour from tomorrow (Friday) on WHITE FERNS facebook
Unsung hero
Helen Littleworth. The WHITE FERNS team physio works extremely hard to keep everyone recovered and in top condition on tour which is really important when you’re playing seven ODIs in a short timeframe. Love your work Helen!
FOR THE RECORD
Tour match v South Africa Emerging Talent
First ODI won by 12 runs
Second ODI nailbiter lost by 4 wickets
Third ODI won by 9 wickets
Fourth ODI won by 8 wickets
Fifth ODI won by 95 runs
Sixth ODI lost by 5 wickets
Seventh ODI won by 126 runs
