Amelia Kerr and Georgia Plimmer scored brilliant half-centuries to help New Zealand Women reach 190/7 after choosing to bat first in their T20I match against South Africa Women at the Bay Oval on Sunday morning. South Africa needs 191 runs to win.
Kerr top scored with a sensational 44-ball 78 (11X4s, 2X6s) and Plimmer complemented her with a wonderful 63 from 44 deliveries (5X4s, 3X6s). The duo shared a record-breaking 146-run second-wicket partnership. It is the highest second-wicket stand for New Zealand in T20Is.
This is Kerr's seventh T20I half-century and her third against South Africa. The New Zealander faced 28 deliveries to reach the milestone. Plimmer's 63 marked her third T20I half-century. She faced 37 balls to reach the milestone. This is her new career-best T20I score.
The duo joined forces in the first over, following Isabella Gaze's early dismissal. The opener trudged back to the pavilion facing a single delivery in the innings. She lost her wicket to a Chloe Tryon run-out. The visitors, who had their tails up, almost got a second wicket off a run-out in the second over, but Kerr made her way back just in time.
Kerr and Plimmer took 36 runs off Ayabonga Khaka and Kayla Reyneke off the next two overs as they wrestled control of the innings from South Africa after a quiet first two overs. They pushed New Zealand's run rate to 10 runs an over and guided the hosts to 61/1 after the powerplay.
Kerr and Plimmer registered New Zealand's highest second-wicket partnership in T20Is. They struck 16 fours and five sixes in their partnership. Kerr lost her wicket in the 14th over while trying to dispatch a Masabata Klaas delivery to the boundary. She mistimed the slog sweep and offered Sinalo Jafta an easy catch.
Plimmer was hot on Kerr's heels. The opener departed eight balls later. Plimmer wandered out of her crease intent on smashing a Nonkululeko Mlaba delivery out of the ground. The spinner deceived her in the air to allow Jafta a stumping opportunity. New Zealand lost their way after losing Kerr and Plimmer. None of their next five batters reached the 20-run mark.
Masabata Klaas was the pick of the South African bowlers. The seamer bowled tight lines and lengths and was rewarded with two wickets for 15 runs in four overs. She was the only bowler who conceded runs at a rate lower than four runs an over. Nadine de Klerk also took two wickets but allowed 32 runs in four overs.
NEW ZEALAND: Georgia Plimmer, Isabella Gaze (wk), Amelia Kerr (capt), Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Sharp, Suzie Bates, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Bree Illing.
SOUTH AFRICA: Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Annerie Dercksen, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Masabata Klaas, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.